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Four of us had a "day off" and decided to get up early and climb Mt Sherman quickly in the morning. e left my house in COS a few minutes after 0500 and then made our way up Ute Pass to Woodland Park and a stop at the Donut Mill for coffee and a couple of bags of diabetic shock. I went with the cinnamon twist (a mere 2000 calories by my estimate) while one of my comrades opted for the Sasquatch Claw -- frosted. Neither of us could finish before we got to the trailhead.
We arrived at the gate at the top of the accessible Four-Mile Creek trailhead at about 0715. The road was dry in most spots and not too badly rutted. We were traveling in an F-150 4X4 and had no issues.
The clouds were everywhere when we started, though not thick or threatening any lightning, moving quickly from east to west and shrouding the surrounding peaks above about 13,000 ft. We dressed in thin layers and started with gloves and beenies at 0728. We were the only car on the trailhead at the steel gate that marks about 12,050.
We cruised up the four-wheel drive road past the abandoned mines looking for a sign to show us which one of the many trails to take to get to the summit. The giant arrow was obvious.
We were making very good time despite the increasing winds and dropping temperatures. The trail was in good shape and easy to follow, including some short cuts that are now in better shape than the established trail. We passed several of the mining buildings that mark the slopes of the valley and took our first short pause at the bunkhouse.
From there we traversed along he rocky trail to the west (towards Mt Sheridan) and then picked up the trail to the saddle between Sheridan and Sherman. . There was a small clearing to the northeast and we caught a glimpse of the Arkansas Valley below
The winds were about 30 mph at the main saddle mixed with some light sleet. For the first time this season we saw some fresh snow and sleet on the ground on the downwind side of each rock.
We turned northeast up from the saddle and egan the climb up the southwest spine of Mt Sherman, thinking that we might just summit by 0900. The group was staying together well, but we still paused at a few breaks to close ranks as by now the clouds were enveloping. About 100 meters up from the saddle, the winds mysteriously stopped, but that respite was short-lived and they picked up quickly again as we moved to the final saddle before the upper ridge line that marks Sherman. .
We arrived at the summit a couple of minutes before 0900, popped our summit sodas, took some pictures quickly and we were on our way down by 0910. No reason at all to linger. Winds were strong, we were frosting up everywhere and wind chills had to be near zero. The sleet was pelting our red faces and it didn't feel very good.
On the way down, we paused at the first saddls and decided to take the more direct route down a scree line that pointed directly towards the bunkhouse. All of us ad poles of one sort or another"which were required"but this quick descent saved us about 20 minutes. We scree surfed down most of it and the loose rock was reliable and moved smoothly. None of us had any issues or falls besides the usual butt slide.
As we were nearing the bottom of the slide we saw the only other climbers of the day, two women who were attempting to ascend the rock field just west of where we'd just slid down. They didn't seem as well prepared or knowledgeable as one would hope given the late date in the season. We advised that they NOT try to ascend there and that they should follow the trail to the ride farther west, but they continued.
From the bottom of the slide, the rest of the hike down was uneventful. We took some pictures of the abandoned mining equipment but otherwise hurried to the truck. The sleet was intensifying and the clouds were getting thicker.
We arrived at the truck by 1015 and were on the road soon thereafter. In all the round-trip took us only about 2:45. We drove back to the Springs and I was actually in my office by 1300 handling some work that could've waited until Thursday, but hey"it's done now. That's a 14er quickie!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I think I am going to have to do Sherman again from the east side. Looks far more scenic than from the Iowa Gulch side. Still fun, but not scenic.....clouds look eerie. Good job!
Between doc having a quickie, and zor ”hitting” it.... I dont know what to think. I mean yeah, its a fun mountain but Im not sure I want your sloppy seconds Saturday!
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