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Trailhead: Just South of Freemont Pass
Route: North Ridge
Length: Approx 5 miles
Vertical: About 2800 feet
Ascent Party: Solo
I tried Arkansas a couple years ago but a late start and weather issues forced me to turn around before the fun stuff began. My weather luck (and start time) worked much better this time and the only irritations were a little wind and a lot of mosquitoes. Maybe if the wind had been worse, the mosquito issue would have lessened. But a strong wind would have made parts of this climb a little more troublesome. Life is always about trade-offs, I guess.
I followed Bill's route description fairly closely with one exception that I will point out later.
(pictures above photos) Some pics taken on the way down but merged in place.
There are multiple small open areas on the way up through the trees.
And some obvious places to get through the willows that guard a couple small streams.
And a plethora of game trails that help. Where one starts to veer off, you can usually find another one that keeps going south.
The key is to just keep going up and south. Sooner or later you will break out of the trees and the next section of the route becomes obvious.
I followed Bill's route on my first attempt. This time, I decided to veer left and go straight for the ridge as I just love walking ridges when I can. (Pic poached from Bill's site) Bill's route in blue, my route in red.
I had intended on coming down Bill's route to make a loop out of the hike but an old building structure that I spotted changed my mind. More on that later.
On the way up to the ridge, you have some nice views back down.
And towards the west.
Once on the ridge, the views just get better and better.
I had a nice clear day - note Pikes Peak in the distance on the right hand side.
Looking towards DeCaliBron
And a zoom on Mount Democrat. They had to share the summit. I had Arkansas all to myself - in fact, I never saw another soul all day.
It was about here that I had to turn around on my last attempt. And this is where the fun begins.
I chose to skirt the class 3/4 tower and take the class 2 work around on the right side. (yeah, I'm a chicken...)
And a look back at the towers.
From the false summit, looking to the summit.
And that's all that remains.
Views from the summit were awesome!
And a short 360 vid from the summit where you will hear the wind.
After a very short stay on the summit, it was time to head back down the ridge.
A shot of Arkansas's NE ridge.
I mentioned that I had spotted an old structure on the way up so I just HAD to check it out on the way down.
The structure is just at the edge of the trees in the center of this photo and I am parked well to the left (out of frame).
Not sure if it is an old logging cabin or a miner's cabin. Although I didn't see any evidence of mining around...
Well, no mining except for this.....
And then there were the mosquitoes on the way down. Not sure I like these little ponds...
This was a fun, fun hike to a summit that doesn't see many visitors. Maybe one day soon, I will give that class 3/4 tower a shot.
Some wildflower photos to end this report (the wildflowers were really out in full force in the meadow)
As always, thanks for taking the time to read this and PLEASE be careful out there!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I really enjoyed Arkansas more than I’d thought. I went up it in mid–spring last year, and we went up even earlier on the ridge than you did; we were barely in the trees at all. And, yes, a stiff wind made the ridge more entertaining. Looks much different with foliage and willows apparent! Congrats on completing the range, too.
The Decalibron has never interested me in the least. But this Mosquito looks very enticing! AR may be one Mosquito peak I could be drawn to take a bite out of someday! Nice flower pics!
Brian – I think you and Senad were having fun in the Elks doing the hard stuff while I was dodging mosquitoes. Would have loved to have you with me so you could educate me on all the flowers. I would do AR again so give me a yell if you decide to go.
Doug – Thanks! DeCaliBron doesn’t do all that much for me, either. I did them probably 40 years ago WAY before they were popular. I think there were only 3 vehicles @ Kite Lake that day. How times have changed...
Mnsebourn – I saw that you passed the AR bar exam. Congrats! I’m sure you will enjoy the climb.
Al – Thanks so much. I always enjoy your reports so a comment from you is extra special.
Congrats on the Mosquitoes! I seem to recall that tower having a tricky DC on the summit side, so most would want to backtrack and go around the thing anyways. Nice report; I take it the old TH at the hairpin was shutdown by the (potential "is it actually there?") mine?
Ryan - The old TH is still there (just below the dark rock) and accessible - I had read somewhere that the road was closed but that was not the case. I picked up a couple beer bottles near where I parked so I’m not the only one that has used it. And yeah, I had seen pics of that DC and had pretty much talked myself into going around even before I started. In retrospect, I kinda wish I’d tried going up it on my way back. Maybe the next time I do AR, I’ll give it a shot. And I appreciate your compliments - seeing the stuff you do (particularly the Ypsilon TR - Yikes!) makes your comments all the more meaningful.
Congrats Jay, nice peak and great report! This one wasn’t on my list but it will definitely make it now. I too discovered a while ago that 13ers are much much better in Summer than the crowded 14ers...
Thanks for the kind words.... And from my peak list, I think it’s pretty obvious that I prefer the solitude that one finds on 13ers. But like the Gore Range, I guess we shouldn’t even talk about the 13ers..
Arkansas is a good one and congrats on all the Squito peaks! I remember that northeast Ridge proper being a tad spicy but not all that shabby. Its pretty fun and short–lived indeed. Cheers, bud!
I too enjoy the solitude and the path less travelled. Have gotten a lot of inspiration from your reports, and I’ll be adding this one to my short list. Thanks Jay !
I think you’ll like Arkansas. Good access, fairly easy (but you can make it a little spicy), lots of flowers this time of year, great views and solitude. Doesn’t get much better than that!
The Infamous Lemmiwinks and I did that route in late October last year. It was fun until we got cliffed out and had to down climb on snow–covered class 3 ledges
Really enjoyed that peak – it’s fun to look at whenever you drive by on the road between Copper and Leadville. Thanks for the TR!
Wish I’d seen this before my personal debacle there the next day. Saw your truck in the parking lot on Sunday, on my way to Leadville. On Monday, I came back and flailed around in the woods and willows awhile before heading all the way up to the saddle to the southwest. Once headed for the ridge, I thought I saw a better route to the southwest. Ultimately, it wasn’t, and I ended up below the ridge cliffs, and in steep, loose rock. With a small weather window, I decided to retreat. I gave the approach you describe a good look, but decided to stick with the beta I had. In short, I made all the wrong route decisions. Live and learn, I guess.
You’re right about the flowers. Beautiful. The most elk I’ve seen outside the Estes Park city limits, too. Thanks for posting this. I’ll need to go back and do this right.
Teddy – It does kinda stick out from Freemont Pass, doesn’t it? Looks like it would be fun in winter – guess I’ll have to give that a try, too.
rrk – Sorry you had such a rough time – but that’s how we learn, right? I’m sure you will get it the next time. A VERY worthwhile peak.
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