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Peak:	Mt. Antero (14er)
Route:	West Slopes
Range:	Sawatch
Posted By:	Exiled Michigander
Date of Information:	03/09/2014
Date Posted:	03/10/2014

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There are no problems driving to the Baldwin Gulch 2WD trailhead, but that is as far as you can get currently. There is a good packed trail all the way to the turnoff for Upper Browns Road that continues toward Baldwin Lake, but there was no apparent packed trail going up Upper Browns Road. The spurs are largely windblown. I only made it to 13,750--no summit this time. Image # 1: At treeline along Upper Browns Road, looking south. The spur I used is in the middle of the two gullies. Image # 2: Looking up the spur I used (the one just south of the gully where Upper Browns Road switchbacks) with Antero in the distance. Image # 3: Looking back down the spur, with Point 13,870 in the background. Image #4: Looking north at the final 0.6 miles of the ridge from around 13,700. Photos (click for slideshow):

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There are no problems driving to the Baldwin Gulch 2WD trailhead, but that is as far as you can get currently. There is a good packed trail all the way to the turnoff for Upper Browns Road that continues toward Baldwin Lake, but there was no apparent packed trail going up Upper Browns Road. The spurs are largely windblown. I only made it to 13,750--no summit this time.

Image # 1: At treeline along Upper Browns Road, looking south. The spur I used is in the middle of the two gullies.

Image # 2: Looking up the spur I used (the one just south of the gully where Upper Browns Road switchbacks) with Antero in the distance.

Image # 3: Looking back down the spur, with Point 13,870 in the background.

Image #4: Looking north at the final 0.6 miles of the ridge from around 13,700.

Photos (click for slideshow):

Comments or Questions

FireOnTheMountain	super weird question 03/10/2014 23:16 did i meet you on Bear Peak doin laps the other day? Nice work!
Exiled Michigander	No 03/10/2014 23:31 No, that wasn't me. Laps, you say? Well, whoever it was, it sounds like he/she is in much better shape than I am.
matthewbe	Turn-around? 03/11/2014 19:07 Was there a time/other issue or were the upper conditions the reason that you turned around? I am hoping to do this one this weekend is why I ask. Thanks!
Exiled Michigander	Re: Turn-around? 03/11/2014 19:38 Hey, Matthew. The answer is a little of both. I got a late start (8 a.m.) and got to the ridge later and a bit more tired than I wanted. As loose and non-adhesive as that fresh snow was on Sunday (and with the persistent weak layer on NE aspects and the CAIC issuing the weekend storm slab warning), I felt a little uncomfortable trying to get across the east (right) side of that ridge--and the west side or staying directly on the ridge looked more technical than I felt up for. I debated it for a long time though . . . I probably spent 15 minutes staring at the ridge before I decided to call it. Based on the weather reports for Antero this week, my guess is the winds will scour any of the loose snow off and the sun should stabilize those snowfields considerably. I think conditions for you along the entire route will be a bit better. I hope you make it, man! Once you get across that rocky bump on the ridge, it should be smooth sailing. Don't count on a trench past the Upper Browns turnoff though; I think the winds are going to fill that in pretty quickly. Good luck and post a TR if you make the summit!
blindmule	Ski the 4WD road? 03/13/2014 16:18 I am thinking of trying Antero tomorrow (Fri), and was wondering if the 4WD road is actually snowpacked all the way down to the TH itself. Thinking of taking skis, mainly for a quicker exit, if the entire road is skiable. Tks much for the info.
Exiled Michigander	Ski it, baby! 03/13/2014 17:04 Yes, the road is definitely well-packed and skiable. Have fun.