Culebra Range- best north & south access points in winter?

[erics1234]

I am thinking of traversing the Culebra Range in winter, primarily because the entire range consists of pretty mellow terrain and that it would provide a great opportunity for some winter mountain photography. My plan is to start/end the traverse from Napoleon Peak on the north side of the range or Big Costilla Peak on the south side of the range. While on the traverse, I plan on remaining on the main spine of the Culebra Range the entire way. Im looking for recommendations on winter access points to Napoleon and Big Costilla, preferably ones that dont require 4WD. Any suggestions on winter approaches for THESE TWO PEAKS (or immediate neighboring peaks) will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Eric

[Kiefer]

You do realize that MOST of the range is private....right? You do realize that asking questions that blatantly involve trespassing publically is stupid at best...right? And you do realize that if anyone DOES have suggestions or recommendations (of which I do), no one is going to share them publically....right?

[d_baker]

You do realize that MOST of the range is private....right? You do realize that asking questions that blatantly involve trespassing publically is stupid at best...right? And you do realize that if anyone DOES have suggestions or recommendations (of which I do), no one is going to share them publically....right?

And Kiefer is blatantly telling people he knows how to trespass, right?

[FireOnTheMountain]

Hope you strong enough to daytrip cause night up there gonna suck. Everything south of Maxwell = no no

[erics1234]

Sorry, I just did some more research and didn't realize that you Coloradans look at trespassing as a more serious issue (and keep it down low when it does happen) than Californians. In California (where Im from), people are very casual about trespassing and post all kinds of stuff in the public domain, including several full length reports. We even have a rating system (the Sneak Peak Climbing Scale) for private property routes.

[huffy13]

Hope you strong enough to daytrip cause night up there gonna suck. Everything south of Maxwell = no no

But Maxwell is not on private land? The reason I ask is that I was looking at traversing down from Trinchera but I wasn't sure if anything south of "Leaning South" was accessible.

[Brian C]

We even have a rating system (the Sneak Peak Climbing Scale) for private property routes.

I'd love to hear more about this.

[Mtnman200]

I'm not suggesting that you do what you're considering; just pointing out a report explaining how someone else (NOT me) did it:

http://www.themountaininstitute.com/rep ... lebra.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Teresa Gergen]

Brian, a search brings up:

http://www.climber.org/TripReports/1990/2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The last line is most interesting:

"California Trespass Law, Section 602(k), reportedly requires all of the following to be IN VIOLATION: The land must be fenced AND signed AND one must fail to leave the property on request."

Anyone know if CO has a similar clause about not being in violation unless you fail to leave the property upon request?

[peter303]

Sorry, I just did some more research and didn't realize that you Coloradans look at trespassing as a more serious issue (and keep it down low when it does happen) than Californians. In California (where Im from), people are very casual about trespassing and post all kinds of stuff in the public domain, including several full length reports. We even have a rating system (the Sneak Peak Climbing Scale) for private property routes.

Colorado has a well-used "make my day" law. Some people say it only applies to tresspassing inside ones physical house. Others try to extend it cars and property. Juries tend to give a generous interpretation.

[Sean Nunn]

You do realize that MOST of the range is private....right? You do realize that asking questions that blatantly involve trespassing publically is stupid at best...right? And you do realize that if anyone DOES have suggestions or recommendations (of which I do), no one is going to share them publically....right?

You do realize that the word publicly is spelled "publicly", right?

But I agree with what you are saying. Whether we agree with what people do with their privately owned land or not, it is their land. Which is why, someday, I will holler and complain and curse beneath my breath....and pay to climb Culebra.

Sean Nunn
Raytown MO

[wineguy]

Brian, a search brings up:

http://www.climber.org/TripReports/1990/2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought the "ranking" system was so hilarious I couldn't help but post it. Any partners interested in a Class S11 next weekend? Too bad that nuclear testing has stopped, or we could establish a Class S12.

SPS Rating System:
•Class S1 = Private property but no fences, ranches, gates or signs (Mt. Harbin 2582')
•Class S2 = Private property but no signs. Maybe a fence or two (Santa Ana Mt. 3112')
•Class S3 = Private property signs, locked gate, fence or 2, but no ranch houses (Palo Escrito 4465')
•Class S4 = Signs, locked gates, many fences, ranch houses currently occupied (Weller Pk 2450')
•Class S5 = Signs, gates, many fences, ranch houses occupied, plus barking dogs (Mt. Boardman 3626')
•Class S6 = Signs, gates, fences, occupied houses, barking dogs, and the houses have clear view of the route (Sonoma Mt. 2463')
•Class S7 = Signs, gates, fences, houses, barking dogs, and active security patrol on duty (Mt. Black & Mt. Day)
•Class S8 = Signs, gates, fences, houses, dogs, patrol, plus county sheriff or local park ranger (Poverty Ridge)
•Class S9 = Signs, gates, fences, houses, dogs, patrol, sheriff, plus local owners threatening climbers with guns (Rose Peak 1974')
•Class S10 = All of the above plus climbers with guns (Mt. Isabel)
•Class S11 = Trespass on military bombing ranges (Copper Mtn. 2678')