Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Disclaimer, this is my first TR, so forgive me if the formatting doesn't look right.
My wife and I did Quandry on Saturday, as well as the Saturday before (6/16/07). Last Saturday we couldn't find a summit register (placed on 6/20), we forgot our camera, and we both felt a bit under the weather, so we didn't want to try anything more challenging. It was interesting to see the differences in snowpack that one week makes, it is going fast.
We arrived at the trailhead about 6:45 am and there were approximately a dozen cars along the road.
The parking lot
I would say that the hike could be broken down into 4 parts: below treeline, the south slope, the flat part of the east ridge, and the upper part of the east ridge
The trail starts about 30 yards up the road from the trailhead marker, and winds its way up through the trees. Somebody in the last week has used a chainsaw to cut through some trees that had fallen across the trail, making it a bit easier to walk quickly. The trail is very clear and easy to follow, with a few rocks and tree roots.
The trail below treeline
At places, the trial is intersected by old mining roads, but there are signs that indicate the trail direction. There is also a sign suggesting that you stay off the old trail directly up the east ridge and taking you to the south.
closed trail
By the time we reached treeline, we were on the south slope of the east ridge, and winding our way back and forth along some switchbacks. The trail alternates from dirt to rock to stones that are set into the hill as steps.
the south slope
Eventually the trail and switchbacks bring us back up to the east ridge and there was approximately 20 yards of walking through snow. This was much less than the week before, when there were several more sections like this. I would think that within a week, the snow will be gone from the lower part of the trail.
small snowfield right at ridgeline
Once we regained the ridge, the hiking got a bit easier, the trail was fairly well defined, mostly rock, but some spots of easy dirt walking.
Shot from above looking back on the flatter portion of the east ridge
from the flatter part looking up at the summit
The summit had quite a bit of snow a week ago, but save for the summit, not much any more.
The upper part of the east ridge got a bit more steep, with some small natural step ups. A few portions are straight up, but mostly have small switchbacks to make it easier.
the last part of the east ridge, showing hikers making their way up
Toward the top, you can either stay left and below the snow ridge, or climb the snow ridge to the summit. Almost everyone took the opportunity to walk in the snow. The snow was packed, and so long as you didn't step off, we didn't sink much. I did see a gal step aside and posthole to her waist.
the snow field at the summit. The summit is actually where the snow meets rock on the upper left of the picture.
We summited a bit after 10 am. The weather was great as you can see from the obligitory summit shot. We found and registered on the 14ers.com summit tube
As you can guess, we didn't have the summit to ourselves, about 25 people were on top as we left to come down.
Coming down was the reverse of going up. The snow was wet at the summit, so we didn't see many people glissading. The weather held and we didn't see any clouds until we were back in the car, at approximatly 12:15.
All in all, it was a good hike, very easy and difficult to lose the trail.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Good TR! I was thinking of posting ours but you did a great job capturing the day. Wasn't the weather incredible? Very rare that a summit is that calm.
We saw you a few times on the trip up (I'm the one who had the same pack as your wife). In fact, I think that's my husband and I in your ”snowfield at ridgeline” pic. Glad you remembered your camera this time!
very nice job for a trip report. Pictures clear and discriptions concise! Look forward to many more in the future 8) ---flame on
Craig
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
