Cameron Cone

[sdizzle]

I was wondering if anyone has done this recently. If so, how are the conditions? Would you go with snowshoes or just Yak Trax? I think the Barr trail route w/ turnoff is the only accessible way without being on private property, so correct me if I'm wrong.

[Jim Davies]

You can also climb to the Mt Garfield-Mt Arthur saddle from Jones Park, up to the summit of Arthur, then follow the ridge over the Cameron's Cone. I've done this a few times to Arthur but not the rest of the way. The path up the drainage to the saddle is a bushwack with some scree sidehilling, but not too bad. Beyond that, I recall the CMC guide called it "an uninteresting two miles" or something like that. The round-trip from the Gold Camp/High Drive 4-way would be about 12 miles, I'd guess.

[Chipper]

A bunch of snow has accummulated in Dark Canyon and other low, shady spots. Snowshoes useful there and most of the way up the Cone, except the last 200-300 feet to the summit (boulders). The only value I would see in Yak Trax is for a packed-down Barr Trail - otherwise, they won't help you too much up the Cone. Microspikes would help, and definitely gaiters.

[George Kaplan]

I tried going up the Ingelmann Trail route a few weeks ago and it was more icy than snowy. Very slick chutes across the slope that you have to make your way across. I didn't have any traction devices other than snowshoes so I had to turn back. I will be bringing microspikes the next time I make a go of it!

[susanjoypaul]

I think the Barr trail route w/ turnoff is the only accessible way without being on private property, so correct me if I'm wrong.

You're wrong. That will take you right through Colorado Springs Utilities property (private) and across the cog railway tracks (private) and deposit you in Dark Canyon (parts of which I believe are private). Not that people don't go that way. I believe most "legal" routes to that peak are even longer, more arduous, and include more off-trail mileage than the Barr Trail one, and I can't imagine doing them right now with all the snow up there, combined with deadfall and bushwacking. The other alternative is finding someone who lives in Crystal Park, a gated community in Manitou Springs, who might allow you access from the east side. It's a shorter hike, and you start a lot higher, but you'll get the summit.

[fox_inthesnow]

I haven't done Cam yet but I'm thinking of going the route Jim Davies suggested from the Arthur and Garfield saddle. I was up at this saddle last summer and it definitely looked good. I'd imagine there would be less deep snow to contend with as well as much of the route is south-facing

[Jim Davies]

The Jones Park route also goes through Utilities property, but it's open to the public. If you go that way you can also bag Garfield and Arthur, both worthwhile destinations. Look for the old iron-pipe register on Garfield; it's a classic.

[Vermont Mike]

The Jones Park route via the Garfield/Arthur saddle is doable, but a long approach. In summer there is a cairned trail from the old cabin ruins off of the Cap'n Jacks/Jones Park Trail almost all the way to the Garfield/Arthur saddle. The bushwhack from there would follow the ridge to Cameron; I would expect that ridge is under a couple feet of snow. I attempted the Cone a couple weeks ago via Englemann/Gog/Magog Rocks route and had to turn around about 400' below the summit due to time constraints. The route/trail was in fairly good condition (minimal snow) until above Magog Rock; after that plenty of snow and routefinding was encountered. Have fun, and grab a Pikes Peak Atlas if you don't already have one.