HellBent for Sunshine
November 23 & 24, 2012
Hikers: Terri Horvath & Darin Baker
Day 1
Bent Peak (13,393’)
Day 2
Sunshine Mountain A (13,321’)
San Juan Range
Gear: daypack w/Essentials; seasonal gear (i.e., mitts, goggles, down coat, chemical hand warmers, etc.)
Resources Used For Trip Planning: TOPO! mapping software; Trails Illustrated Map #141; NOAA weather forecast
Introduction
Working for a golf course construction company takes me to places I wouldn’t ordinarily want to be – such as Omaha, NE.
For a month I lived vicariously through reports posted on 14ers, just biding my time until I could get my ass back to the mountains. Finally the work in Omaha wraps up, and I’m sent packing to Colorado for the next job. Ohhh….lucky me!! Just in time for Thanksgiving too! And what’s this I’m told? I can take all 4 days off too? But what will I do with that much time off?! Time for some mountain sunshine….
The Plan
Terri has some 13ers to do in the Lake City area, so she maps out several possibilities. I see Sunshine Mountain A on the list, and after a quick look at the map I realize where it’s located. With its location so close to some of my favorite 14ers, along with the allure of its name, it was a no-brainer to choose Sunshine to wrap up our 2 days in Lake City. But first, we’ll get Bent….
Day 1
Bent Peak (13,393’)
Approach/Route: Wager Gulch/SE ridge
Distance: ~10.5mi RT
Elevation Gain: ~3900’
Difficulty: class 2 hiking
Current Conditions: Approach on the road was snow covered, but was tracked out by a 4x4 w/chains since last storm, so it was easy walking. The 4x4 track went the first 3mi, so from there we had to break trail, which at the most was boot deep. Once out of tree line and beyond Carson townsite there were often snow-free road edges . From saddle to summit was mostly windswept and/or melted out. Traction devices and flotation not needed. Gaitors recommended.
After a couple of warm-up peaks in the Sawatch on Thanksgiving Day, we drove to Lake City that evening and car-camped at Mill Creek campground. FYI: bathrooms are open and well stocked.
Crawling out of the bags in the morning was slow, but we eventually got moving and prepped our packs for the day ahead. A quick ~1.5mi drive back to our E puts us on the Wager Gulch road, where Terri braved the first .3mi in her Xterra before making the wise decision that we need not to try to go higher with current conditions.
The Hike
We plod up the road and came to a fork. We take the wrong one. Damn! We quickly correct our course and get back on the southerly track. (Note to others: Take the right fork.)
Carson townsite
Approaching the saddle that the Continental Divide rides
Hear me roar
At the saddle, Terri spotted a fully intact spine/ribs/neck and skull of an elk. Legs were gone, presumably by a hunter that had quartered his (or her) kill and left the rest for pickings. Kind of neat, yet creepy!
For November, the weather was a warm welcome with only a slight breeze. It was the kind of weather to relax on the summit and enjoy the views. Conversely, it was the kind of weather that “peak baggers” would take advantage of and do a slew of other points. I’m glad I’m not a peak bagger!
Carson Peak (13,657’) to the W
Handies Peak (14,something’) to the NW
 Photo by Terri
A broad view to our NW/N
The route from the saddle (SE ridge)
Half can of Salt ‘n Vinegar Pringles and a healthy handful of York Pieces later, we depart for the Carson townsite for some window shopping. It’s Black Friday, after all! Getting Bent was a fun time, but now it’s time for Sunshine…
Day 2
Sunshine Mountain A (13,321’)
Approach/Route: Jeep rd out of Capitol City (as can be seen on the topo)/circuitous ridge route
Distance: ~9mi RT
Elevation Gain: ~3650’
Difficulty: class 2 hiking with very minor route finding once the road ends
Current Conditions: The jeep road (i.e., old mining road) has minimal snow on its mostly S aspect. Beyond the road and in the trees is also S facing, and it’s mostly snow free. What snow we did encounter was rarely if at all much more than 2”. Same tune above and beyond tree line. Traction devices and/or snowshoes would be overkill.
After hiking Bent Peak on Friday, we drove into Lake City and stopped at the Lake City Café for some dinner. First time eating there and I would definitely go back!
After dinner, we drove up the Henson Creek road in search of our “trail head” for the next morning. It was dark. Maybe in the morning light we’ll be able to confidently identify our jeep road. Yeah, good idea!
And this is what it looks like in daylight
We parked in the lot at the split for Alpine Loop & the Matterhorn Creek road approach, and slept there for the night.
The Hike
Easy road walking in beautiful fall weather
Above the trees and on a tundra slope that leads to the ridge
A Sunshine Mountain
On the ridge, we get pummeled with views like this
I felt rather small
 (Photo by Terri)
Stunning ridge walking on this fine November day
The American Basin group to the S
Some of the stars above the Dallas Divide
 Photo by Terri
Getting furry. Papi, am I winning?
Soak in the sunshine now, because it’s time to go
Thanks for reading,
Darin
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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