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Peak(s):  Eagles Nest  -  13,419 feet
Date Posted:  09/04/2011
Modified:  05/16/2012
Date Climbed:   09/03/2011
Author:  Layne Bracy
 Eagles Nest from Piney Lake   

5:45am Piney Lake TH, 9300'
8:45am Game Pass(Powell - East Corner saddle), 12060'
11:15am Eagles Nest, 13420'
2:30pm Game Pass
5:10pm Piney Lake TH
11mi/4400'/11hr 25min

Image
Pleasant slopes lead up to Game Pass

Image
Peak C from Game Pass


Dense fog hung over the lake, and within minutes on the trail, the vegetation had soaked my pants, socks and boots. After 3 miles and 70 minutes, I reached the double cairns where the Upper Piney Trail heads right and the trail to the high basin below Kneeknocker Pass goes up and left.

Initially, the trail is easy to follow and rises steeply. Last year I learned that when the trail seems to disappear, turn right towards the creek. It meanders through some boggy and overgrown terrain, staying close to the creek at times. Eventually, I reached the pleasant open basin below KneeKnocker Pass, Pk C and Mt Powell.

Image
East Corner guards the pass

I left the trail and headed north up pleasant slopes to reach Game Pass after 3 hours.

From the pass, I dropped maybe 150' but generally tried to contour at the level of the pass. The terrain here is arduous, varying from small talus to large talus. I'd read that the key is to not ascend too soon, although the steep bluffs above were not enticing. I headed towards a gully with a large patch of yellow flowers and began to ascend. I continued an ascending traverse and hit the ridge at just above 13000'.

Image
A patch of yellow flowers can be seen in the first ascent gully


Image
yellow flower gully


Image
another ascent gully


Image
and another


Image
looking back to Game Pass


The ascent to Eagles Nest went smoothly at this point, and I topped out at 11:15am. The day was very pleasant. I ate, checked in with my wife, and tried drying out my socks and boots.

Image
rocky terrain near Eagles Nest south ridge

The descent took a long time, especially the return to Game Pass, but the effort was worth it for a spectacular day in the Gore Range!

Image
Mt Powell from Eagles Nest


Image
Eagles Nest east ridge from summit



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11


Comments or Questions
Furthermore
User
Nice
9/4/2011 8:36pm
Layne,
It is good to see a report from you! Hope things are going well.


Layne Bracy
User
Thanks, Derek
9/6/2011 2:38pm
Yes, life is good. Great to see you still tearing up the 13er list!


Matt
User
Thanks for the beta
9/6/2011 4:21pm
I used your Powell/C report (and your GB-Hagar_Citadel TR) for guidance last month, and will probably follow suit whenever we go for Eagles Nest. Good stuff.


Layne Bracy
User
You're welcome!
9/7/2011 7:06pm
Glad you enjoyed it!



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