Considering going up to climb Humboldt and Obstruction Peak from Bear's Playground tomorrow/Saturday and I wondered about camping Friday night on the Bear's Playground. Anyone here done this? If I did this I might climb Humboldt tomorrow afternoon and then camp up there and climb Obstruction Saturday morning.
Otherwise I'd camp at upper S. Colony lake and try to be at Bear's Playground for sunrise and then climb Obstruction and maybe get Humboldt on the return.
Anyone climb Obstruction Peak recently?
Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
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- traderaaron
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- Jim Davies
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
The one time I was there, Bear's Playground was carpetted with marmots. Guard your gear.
Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall — it's great when you stop. -- Chris Darwin
I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now. -- Forrest Gump
I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now. -- Forrest Gump
- traderaaron
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
I forgot about that. When I left my backpack at the pass to climb Venable last year I came back to a marmot chewing it up and probably don't need to repeat that experience camping.Jim Davies wrote:The one time I was there, Bear's Playground was carpetted with marmots. Guard your gear.
Not sure I could sleep while thinking about fending off marmots.
- Carl
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
This is one of the more memorable places I've spent the night. Jim is right about the marmots. I put my food under a pile of rocks. Not sure if that was a good idea or maybe I just got lucky. Probably the latter. Also, there is no water that I remember.
- miztflip
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
Aside from the marmots, Bears Playground can get hammered with the winds out of the west. I was up there about this time last year and it was pretty nasty. I ended up climbing Obstruction and Humboldt from S Colony and thought it was pretty fun that way.
- traderaaron
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
As hot as it is I know it is going to be breezy with hot air rising up from both valleys.
If I camp at upper S. Colony Lake how long should it take me to get to Bear's Playground?
If I camp at upper S. Colony Lake how long should it take me to get to Bear's Playground?
- MtHurd
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
+1 on the winds. It's like a wind tunnel up there. You might get lucky, but if you are not it will be a hurricane.
Probably 1.5 hours to Bears Playground from Upper South Colony Lake.
Probably 1.5 hours to Bears Playground from Upper South Colony Lake.
- Vermont Mike
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
I was up Obstruction and Humboldt a couple weeks ago. If I were you I would park the car at the Rainbow Trail and head up Humboldt's east ridge route, which I thought was much nicer than the west ridge, since you avoid hiking up the road, get ever expanding views, and get the "Wow!" factor of the Crestones appearing as you crest the summit. Then you could head down the west ridge and camp at South Colony and do Obstruction the next day, adding Columbia Pt. if you wanted. Just a suggestion, have fun!
- miztflip
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
Barry's right, about 1.5 to the playground. It's very easy going to the saddle and a short sweet scramble to the playground.
- Nathan Hale
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Re: Obstruction Peak/Bear's Playground
Does anyone know of an easy route from Willow Lake up to Bear's Playground, or is up and over Kit/Columbia the best option?
But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun and count every beautiful thing we can see.
http://mtns.nathan-hale.com
http://mtns.nathan-hale.com