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Trailhead - 8900 feet
9 mile roundtrip
4,550 vertical with about 200-300 on return.
Horn Peak was tossed out on a thread for this past weekend, I was interested but no one else committed to the hike. So after thinking about it on Saturday off I went Sunday morning.
Horn Peak is southwest of the town of Westcliffe. South on Highway 69 three miles to Schoolfield. Left at Macey, right on Horn Road then west to ranch 3.5 miles, then right at ranch to trailhead. Some paved and some dirt sections after Schoolfield.
Started at about 7:30 a.m. and summited at 1:45 p.m. Return trip approximately 3 hours, not counting a few equipment problems.
The first 1/4 mile on the Horn Creek Spur to the Rainbow Trail and then approximately 1 mile along the well trod upon Rainbow Trail. The second picture below is looking back at the trail junction.
Horn Peak sign. Three miles and 4250 feet to go. About 100 feet up the trail to the west there is a Wilderness registry. The last entry before mine was 12-07-08. Broke trail through 6" to 24" of snow from here to tree line. The first picture is sign looking back and just past trail to Horn Peak. Second picture below is the start of the Horn Peak Trail.
Wilderness sign at crossing north side of Henniquin Creek.
Heading up steep hill to the ridge. No trail to speak of but a trail marker?
Once on the ridge and a little higher up a part of the trail emerged.
Just below tree line looking up at Point 12663, sort of.
Below Point 12663.
Looking back at Point 12663 and a break in the clouds.
Looking up towards the top.
Part of the undulating ridge. The ridge was a scramble on solid rock with some snow but no ice.
Spot on. My wife got a Spot satellite messenger for me at Christmas and I am sending out the OK. Spot provides a Google map and location which I wanted to show but have not figured out how to get the map yet.
Summit.
The views were incredible, not. See the Crestones, Little Baldy, Mount Adams.
Map.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I wimped out Saturday and had to take the girls to ski lessons Sunday. In winters past, I‘ve followed the dry lakes trail to the upper creek crossing and gained the ESE ridge instead of the ENE ridge you used. It also works well.
MJ there are some other peaks that look like they might be nice - Little Horn, etc. Good ridges. I had been up doing the Mosquito peaks the last few weekends and when Horn was talked about I was looking for a change.
Steve I don‘t think anyone would call you a wimp. Especially after having hiked with you.
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