6/25/2023 Route: Cataract Gulch Posted On: 6/25/2023, By: HikerGuy Info: Started from high camp (12,070) in Cataract Gulch, ascended 13,179 (13,164) and 13,003(12,990) in an out and back. 10.48 miles and 2,695 feet roundtrip from camp. Camp was about 3.7 miles from the Cataract Gulch TH. There are four stream crossings in Cataract Gulch, the first two are dry on logs, the third is a wet crossing and currently there is a snow bridge across the fourth. Upper Cataract Gulch and the CDT have numerous snow patches and wet ground, but nothing terrible. Wore trail runners, no other gear needed. There is a moose cow and calf at the top of Cataract Gulch at the intersection of the CDT. |
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8/18/2021 Route: From Half Peak/Cataract Lake Posted On: 8/19/2021, By: supranihilest Info: From Half's summit Point 13,164 looks tiny. Head back across Half's south ridge all the way until it meets up with the East Fork Middle Pole trail (what a mouthful of a trail name). If coming from Cataract Lake this trail will have signs and will head west from the lake. The trail will contour around 13,164's north face, before it does that head up the east slopes. They have some cliffs and rock blockages but they're all easily avoidable and the slopes are Class 2. Once on the peak's flat top the summit is to the north on Class 2 terrain. The giant cairn seen from everywhere is not in fact the summit - a smaller cairn a few feet away is obviously slightly higher. Bonus 12er Point 12,990: either return to the trail and head around 13,164's north face and then up 12,990's east ridge, or drop down a steep scree gully on 13,164's west face. The latter is a little difficult to find but is about the only way down the west face that doesn't look like a death trap. |
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7/4/2021 Route: Cataract to Cuba Posted On: 7/5/2021, By: b_esker Info: We hiked up Cataract Gulch to 13,164. Highly recommend this trail. Wildflowers were out of control. You'll encounter a handful of creek crossings. We took our trail runners off for the first one but it wasn't bad. Water sources were abundant so we went light and filtered throughout the day. Our intentions were to summit 13,164, head over to Half Peak and descend back down Cataract. We reached the summit of 13,164 after 7.2 miles and decided to save Half for another day. Still wanting to make an adventure of the day, we decided to descend via Cuba Gulch. Although this made for a solid loop, it was extremely high effort and not the most enjoyable descent. There's a faint climbers trail that goes in and out. Had to maneuver through a lot of willows and downed trees. Ended up being 15 miles roundtrip. In a nutshell, highly recommend doing this via Cataract and avoiding Cuba Gulch until it's maintained! |
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7/26/2018 Route: Cataract Gulch Posted On: 7/28/2018, By: JasonKline Info: Summer conditions. Totally dry. |
