| Peak: | Dallas Pk - 13,809 feet | |
| Posted By: | Nice Axe | |
| Post Date: | 08/04/2009 | Modified: 08/05/2009 |
| Date Climbed: | 08/01/2009 | |
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| Dallas Peak-Party of Three |
Itinerary: Standard route w/ rockclimb (5.3) to the summit of Dallas Peak (13809‘) from Mill Creek TH
Who: Nice Axe (Amy), scotthsu (Scott), and bun in the oven (20 weeks) Elevation climbed: ~4800‘ RT mileage: ~9.3 miles Time: 9 hours (including 30 minutes on the summit) As the 100th highest ranked peak in CO and with a technical rock climb (5.3) to the summit block, Dallas Peak has been on our list for a long time. After spending the last weekend at home due to poor weather, a perfect forecast made this trip a go and we were itching to get out. We slept at the Mill Creek trailhead the night before and started hiking via headlamp at about 5 after 5 am. The Deep Creek trail and the turnoff to the Sneffels Highline trail were very easy to follow in the dark. We arrived at the ridge at ~10,620‘ around dawn and were rewarded with a nice view of not only Dallas but also the Wilson group. Stan‘s shortcut was imperceptible, at least to our untrained eyes, and we opted to stay on the main trail. It was quick hiking. (Left) Dallas in the background, (Right) Wildflowers:  
As described by Roach, we left the Highline trail below Dallas‘ south face and although we were "only 0.6 miles from the summit ...your adventure has just begun." 
One of a few third class sections on the ascent: 
Traversing above the first cliff band: 
Above the first cliff band, this image shows our route up & around the east face. The route was easy to follow through here. 
More scrambling on the east face: 
Scott on the first 4th class section: 
Scott navigating the second 4th class section to gain access to the 5th class summit pitch. This was exciting climbing without a rope and with hiking boots on: 
On the north side of Dallas, negotiating the downclimb to the start of the 5th class pitch: (Note: Roach‘s description of the start of the 5th class climb is hooey. No offense Gerry. We only descended 30 feet or so, not 60.) 
Scott eyeing the final pitch, planning his attack: 
Roped up. Scott starting the 5.3 pitch to the summit. Climbing shoes would have made this trivial. We were reminded of (and humbled by) the days when mountaineers routinely ascended pitches harder than this in nothing more than leather boots, hemp rope, and a few pitons. 
Scott enjoying the spectacular views from the summit: 
For a second, we entertained summiting T0 (shown left of center) on this perfect weather day, but couldn‘t stomach a scree climb. We‘ll return to ski that one! 
Telluride‘s mountainous fortress - the Wilson group and Lizard Head: 
Sneffels, Teakettle, Coffeepot, Potosi, and Uncompahgre: 
After 30 minutes of soaking in the views and a leisurely lunch, we prepared to rappel: 
The airy first move: 
This shot of Scott & me was taken by 14ers.com member Warg. Thanks! 
Scott rapping into the hole:  
My turn!!  
Here is a shot I got of Warg and his buddy ascending the 4th class section. There were some handy rappel slings at the top that made for a nice anchor if needed. 
Another convenient set of rap slings made it possible to rap the other 4th class section. Including the rappels, we made it back to the car in 3h 20 m. One final look back: 
The wildflowers are still in full bloom: 
We couldn‘t have asked for better weather for this summit, although it was a little hazy up top. I loved this route; it has a lot to offer! If interested, check out the Chronicles of a Pregnant Weekend Warrior: http://www.summitpost.org/article/533836/chronicles-of-a-pregnant-weekend-warrior.html Thumbnails for uploaded photos: 
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