Long flat ridge runs?

[madbuck]

Howdy,

A bit of an unusual request: I'm looking for suggestions on long, flat, above-treeline ridges and flat-top mountains to run this summer, or a string of lesser peaks with low prominence. That is, high enough to get a good running rhythm, but relatively flat after the initial ascent/descent. Think of those approaches you hate because they're flat and boring, and just keep you exposed to the weather -- that's what I'm looking for! E.g., I have my eye on the ridge behind Zimmerman Lake near Cameron Pass (seen it referred to "Table Iron Mountain), and other spots near Cameron Pass by the Diamonds (rolling and runnable, not rocky)....obviously Flattop in RMNP, but looking for longer, secluded runs. And, above treeline/alpine, not so much desert mesa type stuff.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[weschun]

Hoosier Ridge?

[madbuck]

Exactly, thanks! There's one summer Saturday accounted for...looking for more...

[highpilgrim]

there are incredilbly long stretches of the CDT in the weminuche wilderness that do what you're talking about...

[Jim Davies]

The Kenosha Range, south of Kenosha Pass in the Lost Creek Wilderness, has a long ridge with several low peaks (Kenosha, X-Prime, X, Y, Z, and Zephyr in Roach's LCW book). The whole thing is about seven miles long and stays in about a 300-foot elevation range. You could start at the Ben Tyler TH, follow that trail a few miles up to the ridge, traverse the ridge to Zephyr, then descend to the Colorado Trail and follow it back to near the start to make a huge loop (15-20 miles?).

Here's the area I'm talking about. On the northwest end, you could even extend it to include the Twin Cones, making a very long ridge run indeed.

KenoshaRange.jpg (42.31 KiB) Viewed 1347 times

[Vermont Mike]

Greenhorn Mountain down in the Wet Mountains and its several sub-summits may fit the bill. Some ups and downs once you're on the ridge though. Secluded and the standard trailhead is pretty much at treeline.

[JeffR]

Hoosier Ridge?

Is this a recent pic, perchance?

[Layne Bracy]

Two ideas:

From Berthoud Pass, hike west up to Pt 12391. There's a gentle ridge north to the Twin Cones and south to Stanley Mtn.

The Flat Tops near Yampa. You could run up to Mandall Pass and enjoy the long ridge east to Orno Peak or west and south around 12008 and to the Devils Causeway area. You might be able to find something pretty long here.

[Alpine Guy]

There is a fairly long and somewhat level horse-shoe ridge on either side of Columbia. I remember that one being a real lung buster coming from the flatlands - I think about 3 miles above 13k.

[Scott P]

The Flat Tops near Yampa.

+1.

http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/18 ... -tops.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Once you get on top, it's pretty flat in most areas up there. The apline meadows go for miles.

[madbuck]

Thanks all! A month, at least, to stare at maps, and then some great possibilities this summer. Thanks!

[weschun]

Hoosier Ridge?

Is this a recent pic, perchance?

The picture was taken by Eatinhardtack on 3/13