14ers.com

The final word, as it were, to my question just incase anyone is interested. I e-mailed Jefferson Co to ask about access and this was the answer I got this afternoon...


"Mr. King,
Thank you for writing Jefferson County Open Space. The Ralston Buttes area is closed to public access as it is designated as a sensitive area for the rich wildlife values that can be impacted by human disruption. Access is occasionally provided for scientific and educational purposes through a special activity permit.
As you have indicated, there are multiple private properties in Blue Mountain Estates, and I would caution against any trespass.
Sincerely,

Manager of Public Information"



So it looks like I'll be exploring the north side of 72. Again, thanks for info on cool hikes out in this area and thanks too for the comments on the photos! If by chance anyone out there receives access for 'scientific or educational' purposes, please PM me so I can come play an educating scientist!

Btw, I was able to check out Blue Mountain from Coal Creek Canyon on Saturday - the route is very reasonable and there are plenty of opportunities for scrambling and checking out neat features in there. I parked at the Chapel in the Hills and didn't have a problem. We did bypass a house lower on the Something-De-Monte dirt road by bushwacking through the trees and crossing a couple old barbed-wire fences lining 72, but I heard that the road is often used by locals and may be okay to use.

Edit - did not use snowshoes or any specialized gear. Light traction would be helpful.

I'm not exactly sure of the private land extents. Climbing that route is up to you - otherwise, the Golden Gate Canyon approach on Summitpost may be the most legal.

We ended up spending a couple hours climbing around on an awesome rock outcrop (not the better pics but just to give you an idea):

Giving this thread an epic revival. Anyone know if there’s any way to access Ralston Buttes? Anyone been up Crescent recently?

As a kid my dad ran into an old gentleman who was one of the homeowners off Indian Head road and we were able to do some hiking back in there. I’d love to get back up there and do some exploring for old time’s sake.

Best access for Crescent is from Chapel in the Hills. There's a good trail up to "Why Not" from there (Pilgrims trail), stay on ridge to Crescent. People have had issues going up or down Crescent through private property (owners are alert and confront people), although the south ridge is supposed to be good scrambling. Technically parcels of land up higher are a mix of private and closed open space.

Ralston Buttes still is technically closed open space and an exposed upper pitch. Best access would be from White Ranch although a longer approach. The road mentioned is still signed and no good parking. There's a vacant lot on north side that may provide access but no parking. A drop off or parking off Coal Creek may work.

andlours wrote: ↑Tue Oct 08, 2024 9:09 am Giving this thread an epic revival. Anyone know if there’s any way to access Ralston Buttes? Anyone been up Crescent recently?

As a kid my dad ran into an old gentleman who was one of the homeowners off Indian Head road and we were able to do some hiking back in there. I’d love to get back up there and do some exploring for old time’s sake.

I was up Why Not and Crescent November 2023-from Chapel of the Hills. Fresh snow made the traverse to Crescent challenging. No issues with running into homeowners.

Really appreciate the info guys. I’m going to try to knock out Cresecent at some point soon and I’ll see if I can find access to Ralston Buttes. I’ll keep this thread updated with what I find.

andlours wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2024 8:58 am Really appreciate the info guys. I’m going to try to knock out Cresecent at some point soon and I’ll see if I can find access to Ralston Buttes. I’ll keep this thread updated with what I find.

If you stay a bit on the North side of the ridge to Crescent you should be ok from the homeowner. The house is out of view from there and if you're quiet it should be fine. More deadfall on that side but probably better than a confrontation.

The trail to Why Not is reasonably good. It fades a bit towards the top but by then you know where you're going.

For Cresent, I remember a parking lot on Plainview Rd? I climbed over the railroad tunnel and straight to Cresent via Coal Creek Peak.

If I remember correctly, I parked at a Chuch off 72 and climbed Blue Mountain directly from there. I do remember getting chased by a dog coming down. I ditched that dog by heading into some steep timber and rocks. Close call!

South Ralston, from White Ranch via Glencoe Valley Rd. Been a long time, did I ride in there, stash the bike, then follow some old jeep road? Forgot about this one.

Ralston Buttes was from a ride in through Blue Mountain Drive after parking along 72?

All fun stuff.