Missouri Mountain Trip Report 07/31/2016

Peak(s):	Missouri Mountain - 14,071 feet
Date Posted:	07/31/2016
Date Climbed:	07/30/2016
Author:	Chagster1

Missouri Mtn: Rockdale Trail West Ridge
Missouri Mountain: July 30, 2016 My second hike for 2016 was a great experience. After driving 7 hours from Manhattan, Kansas to Colorado Springs and meeting my hiking partner, I was exhausted. My buddy Matt agreed to drive the trailhead on Friday night where we would meet our third hiking partner, Nathan. After a three hour drive, we finally reached Rockdale trailhead at the four cabins. I have to say it was tricky trying to find those cabins in the dark, but after some extensive recon, we located them around midnight. Matt pitched a tent while I slept in the car. We would meet Nathan the next morning. After a five hour nap, Matt and I woke up at 5:30 am and we quickly located Nathan and his four wheel drive 1994 Land Rover. His well-built four wheel drive Land Rover was a blessing as we would not have to hike all the way to Clohesy Lake (Saved us 3 boring miles). The four wheel drive trail is not something to mess with; if you like your vehicle or feel that it may be risking your vehicle along this trail, I would say hike the three miles. The trail is rugged, steep, and there are many points where you could easily high center your vehicle or puncture your oil pan. Don't risk it! Nathan's vehicle was perfect for the trail. After an exciting ride to the gate, we grabbed our packs and hit the trail. The beginning of the trail is relatively easy, however, if you skip the shortcut, be prepared for some tough and steep scrambling along the creek. It's fun, but no joke. Be careful. After reaching the top of the creek, the trail hooks to the left where some easy ascent begins to slowly climb to the ridge. While navigating the easy terrain, I began to distance myself from Matt and Nathan. It wasn't on purpose, but I felt great and did not want to ease up. About 30 minutes later, Matt and Nathan were well behind me, and I found myself within the more difficult terrain. After some scrambling along the jagged rocks, I finally reached the ridge where it was much easier. As I neared the last pitch to the summit, I reached the well-known 20' crux. I saw two women (didn't catch their names) where one of them was coaching the other while she was going over the difficult rock. She had decided to avoid the scree and the 20' drop and cross the very jagged rock. She looked concern, but with some coaching, she made it. It was then my turn. The two women informed me to avoid the slick scree and just cross the rock. I attempted it, but soon found myself stuck and could not go either direction. At this point, Nathan had distanced himself from Matt, and Nathan had caught up with me. He coached me back to my original location, and we decided that the 20' drop into the scree would be the better choice for crossing. We slowly made our way down and across, but instead of staying high like the route suggested, I found myself going low. It was a huge mistake. I got to a point where I again could not move for fear of sliding down the mountain along the scree. Nathan again coached me, and after some difficult scrambling and crawling, I reached stable ground. Best thing to do at this point in the hike, is to drop down the 20 feet, but stay as high as you can when you are going across the section. After recovering the sketchy moment, I hiked the last bit to the summit, and Missouri Mountain was finally accomplished, Missouri Mountain-14,067 feet! After about an hour, Matt finally reached the summit with us. We took in the beauty of the mountains looking east to Belford and Oxford, took some pictures, and ate a snack. After another 30 minutes, we decided to head down. The route down was just as exciting as the route up. This time, however, I took my own advice and stayed high while crossing the 20' drop. No issues this time. We slowly made our way down to avoid rolling ankles. Soon we reached the grassy area and looked back towards Missouri. The clouds became black and came in from nowhere. We passed a group that was going up that had planned to do 7 14'ers in 30 hours. I felt for their safety as the clouds became thicker and blacker. Although they appeared sketchy, I did not hear thunder nor saw any lighting. I assumed everybody was okay on top. When we hit the shortcut, Matt and Nathan decided to take it, but for some reason, I went the old route down. While traveling back down the difficult creek terrain, I soon realized I made a wrong turn, and the trail was nowhere in sight. I came to the conclusion that I should have followed Nathan and Matt, but nonetheless I had to find my own route down. I could see the lake to my right, and I made my way towards it into the woods hoping that I would eventually run into the old trail. After making my way through the woods (no trail) I eventually did hook up with the old trail. After another 15 minutes, I finally reached the gate where Nathan and Matt were waiting for me. I informed them of my mistake, and they both said, "You should have taken the shortcut". Word of advice for everybody, when coming down, Take the shortcut! Missouri Mountain was a great hike from the Rockdale Trail, and thanks to Nathan's Land Rover, we saved ourselves 6 miles of boring hiking through the woods. Two more peaks in this area, and I will be done with this area. Huron & Oxford you're next! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Missouri Mtn: Rockdale Trail West Ridge

Missouri Mountain: July 30, 2016

My second hike for 2016 was a great experience. After driving 7 hours from Manhattan, Kansas to Colorado Springs and meeting my hiking partner, I was exhausted. My buddy Matt agreed to drive the trailhead on Friday night where we would meet our third hiking partner, Nathan. After a three hour drive, we finally reached Rockdale trailhead at the four cabins. I have to say it was tricky trying to find those cabins in the dark, but after some extensive recon, we located them around midnight. Matt pitched a tent while I slept in the car. We would meet Nathan the next morning.

After a five hour nap, Matt and I woke up at 5:30 am and we quickly located Nathan and his four wheel drive 1994 Land Rover. His well-built four wheel drive Land Rover was a blessing as we would not have to hike all the way to Clohesy Lake (Saved us 3 boring miles). The four wheel drive trail is not something to mess with; if you like your vehicle or feel that it may be risking your vehicle along this trail, I would say hike the three miles. The trail is rugged, steep, and there are many points where you could easily high center your vehicle or puncture your oil pan. Don't risk it! Nathan's vehicle was perfect for the trail.

After an exciting ride to the gate, we grabbed our packs and hit the trail. The beginning of the trail is relatively easy, however, if you skip the shortcut, be prepared for some tough and steep scrambling along the creek. It's fun, but no joke. Be careful. After reaching the top of the creek, the trail hooks to the left where some easy ascent begins to slowly climb to the ridge. While navigating the easy terrain, I began to distance myself from Matt and Nathan. It wasn't on purpose, but I felt great and did not want to ease up. About 30 minutes later, Matt and Nathan were well behind me, and I found myself within the more difficult terrain. After some scrambling along the jagged rocks, I finally reached the ridge where it was much easier.

As I neared the last pitch to the summit, I reached the well-known 20' crux. I saw two women (didn't catch their names) where one of them was coaching the other while she was going over the difficult rock. She had decided to avoid the scree and the 20' drop and cross the very jagged rock. She looked concern, but with some coaching, she made it. It was then my turn. The two women informed me to avoid the slick scree and just cross the rock. I attempted it, but soon found myself stuck and could not go either direction. At this point, Nathan had distanced himself from Matt, and Nathan had caught up with me. He coached me back to my original location, and we decided that the 20' drop into the scree would be the better choice for crossing. We slowly made our way down and across, but instead of staying high like the route suggested, I found myself going low. It was a huge mistake. I got to a point where I again could not move for fear of sliding down the mountain along the scree. Nathan again coached me, and after some difficult scrambling and crawling, I reached stable ground. Best thing to do at this point in the hike, is to drop down the 20 feet, but stay as high as you can when you are going across the section.

After recovering the sketchy moment, I hiked the last bit to the summit, and Missouri Mountain was finally accomplished, Missouri Mountain-14,067 feet! After about an hour, Matt finally reached the summit with us. We took in the beauty of the mountains looking east to Belford and Oxford, took some pictures, and ate a snack. After another 30 minutes, we decided to head down.

The route down was just as exciting as the route up. This time, however, I took my own advice and stayed high while crossing the 20' drop. No issues this time. We slowly made our way down to avoid rolling ankles. Soon we reached the grassy area and looked back towards Missouri. The clouds became black and came in from nowhere. We passed a group that was going up that had planned to do 7 14'ers in 30 hours. I felt for their safety as the clouds became thicker and blacker. Although they appeared sketchy, I did not hear thunder nor saw any lighting. I assumed everybody was okay on top. When we hit the shortcut, Matt and Nathan decided to take it, but for some reason, I went the old route down.

While traveling back down the difficult creek terrain, I soon realized I made a wrong turn, and the trail was nowhere in sight. I came to the conclusion that I should have followed Nathan and Matt, but nonetheless I had to find my own route down. I could see the lake to my right, and I made my way towards it into the woods hoping that I would eventually run into the old trail. After making my way through the woods (no trail) I eventually did hook up with the old trail. After another 15 minutes, I finally reached the gate where Nathan and Matt were waiting for me. I informed them of my mistake, and they both said, "You should have taken the shortcut". Word of advice for everybody, when coming down, Take the shortcut!

Missouri Mountain was a great hike from the Rockdale Trail, and thanks to Nathan's Land Rover, we saved ourselves 6 miles of boring hiking through the woods. Two more peaks in this area, and I will be done with this area. Huron & Oxford you're next!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Doctor No	Underrated 7/31/2016 9:21pm The Rockdale side is significantly underrated in my opinion - beats doing the Belfox switchbacks once more.
glett74	4WD Question 6/25/2019 7:51am We are getting ready to do the west ridge from Clohesy Lake in 3 weeks. I have a 2004 Honda Pilot AWD with 8" ground clearance. Do you think my vehicle will succeed on the 4WD road to Clohesy Lake? Thanks!

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