Peak(s):	North Arapaho Peak - 13,502 feet South Arapaho Peak - 13,397 feet "Old Baldy" - 13,038 feet
Date Posted:	08/30/2011
Modified:	08/13/2013
Date Climbed:	08/27/2011
Author:	bergsteigen
Additional Members:	crossfitter

Playing in my backyard: The Arapaho Traverse
North Arapaho, South Arapaho & "Old Baldy" Route: standard Mileage: 10.6 Elevation Gain: 3,912' Partners without cameras: Darrin (kansas), Kris (crossfitter) & Kelli North Arapaho has been taunting me for over a decade now. It's a peak that I see nearly every day. Three years ago I was on the summit of South Arapaho, but as I was solo and still new to class 3, I didn't complete the traverse. Finally, this past weekend, it was time for the taunting to end. The morning broke cool and fresh as we geared up at the mostly empty trailhead. I lead a relaxed pace up the very familiar trail from the 4th of July trailhead. The many switchbacks ease you up the traverse around the slopes of "Old Baldy" on your right. We arrived at my favorite overlook point just as the first rays of sunlight were trickling in. I never tire of this view of Jasper and Neva. Though it does remind me that I need to plan my trip to Neva sometime during snow climbing season... Alpenglow on Jasper & Neva Boulder sunrise Sunrise After making the turn away from the Arapaho Pass trail, we find a boulder than apparently needs to be climbed, and climbed again. Scramble practice More practice... After I tear the monkeys away from the boulder, we finish the trek up to the saddle, where a nice view awaits us. Approaching the saddle View from the saddle From the saddle, there are multiple trails that wind along the jagged ridge to the summit of South Arapaho. Usually it is best to follow the trail closest to the ridge proper, though there is one major false summit on the way up. Kris being a monkey Kelli striking a pose Pano from S Arapaho After a short break on the first summit, we make our way towards the ridge traverse. The first half of the 0.6mi traverse is relatively simple. You can even remain ridge proper if you like. Darrin and Kris stayed ridge proper in photo #12 and Kelli and I dropped down along a well beaten dirt path the skirts this first class 3 section to the west (climbers left). There is an orange arrow pointing towards the trail. Starting the traverse, ridge proper Boys go ridge proper, gals follow the route as it wraps around to the left Halfway through, is the famous slab. We all thought it goes class 4, as most of the holds have been worn smooth by all the hands and shoes treading up and down it. The exposure is limited, especially if you go up the middle of the slab. The class 4 slab Once beyond the slab there is a lot of smooth rock to traverse ridge proper or just slightly to the west of. In one section we stayed ridge proper and had a class 4 descent of blocky slabs. Looking back (photo #19) the class 3 option wrapped around the ledges to the west. Optional class 4 section Looking back on the optional class 4. Class 3 wrapps around on the lower ledge The last crux is finding the SW gully splits North Arapaho's summit block. The key is to go back up to the ridge proper and look for the giant intimidating blocks that tower over and guard the gully. From there it's a scramble up a loose scree gully to the more stable class 3 section above. Looking for the final crux: SW gully. Note it is not the one on the left Giant blocks guard North Arapaho's summit Beyond the big blocks, follow the gully to the wide summit The summit cairn dominates the landscape and we took a nice break enjoying the well earned summit! This was only Kelli's second peak (the first being Huron) and her first class 3/4 as well. The views from North Arapaho to the north were just spectacular, and everything I hoped they would be after the long wait to see them. Happy scramblers The rough west face of Navajo infront of Longs Peak View of the northern IPW never gets old! The cliffy nature of the N Arapaho summit. Looking back at South Arapaho We couldn't stay too long on the summit, as puffy clouds were starting to build, and I had a date with "Old Baldy" to attend to. We made quick work of the scrambling sections in reverse, and opted for the class 4 section again. As scrambling up class 4 is much more fun! Only issue we had was a CMC group had set up a rope on the slab crux with 5 people waiting in the queue. Thankfully the trip leader allowed us to pass by first, and we all zipped down the slab quickly and efficiently. Darrin oblivious to the exposure, strides along CMC group - or the Hilary Step As no one else in my group had the desire or motivation to go hike "Old Baldy", I zipped on ahead once we were through the route finding section of the ridge traverse, and made quick work over to "Old Baldy". On the summit I couldn't resist a quick nap on the summit, as I knew my group was slowly making their way down to the saddle to enjoy some snow cave - frosty beverages. Personally, the view from the third summit of the day was worth the couple minute delay in frosty drinks! A nap with a view The view worthy of taking the extra steps up Old Baldy Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Playing in my backyard: The Arapaho Traverse Topo map included

North Arapaho, South Arapaho & "Old Baldy"

Route: standard
Mileage: 10.6
Elevation Gain: 3,912'
Partners without cameras: Darrin (kansas), Kris (crossfitter) & Kelli

North Arapaho has been taunting me for over a decade now. It's a peak that I see nearly every day. Three years ago I was on the summit of South Arapaho, but as I was solo and still new to class 3, I didn't complete the traverse. Finally, this past weekend, it was time for the taunting to end.

The morning broke cool and fresh as we geared up at the mostly empty trailhead. I lead a relaxed pace up the very familiar trail from the 4th of July trailhead. The many switchbacks ease you up the traverse around the slopes of "Old Baldy" on your right. We arrived at my favorite overlook point just as the first rays of sunlight were trickling in. I never tire of this view of Jasper and Neva. Though it does remind me that I need to plan my trip to Neva sometime during snow climbing season...

After making the turn away from the Arapaho Pass trail, we find a boulder than apparently needs to be climbed, and climbed again.

After I tear the monkeys away from the boulder, we finish the trek up to the saddle, where a nice view awaits us.

From the saddle, there are multiple trails that wind along the jagged ridge to the summit of South Arapaho. Usually it is best to follow the trail closest to the ridge proper, though there is one major false summit on the way up.

After a short break on the first summit, we make our way towards the ridge traverse. The first half of the 0.6mi traverse is relatively simple. You can even remain ridge proper if you like. Darrin and Kris stayed ridge proper in photo #12 and Kelli and I dropped down along a well beaten dirt path the skirts this first class 3 section to the west (climbers left). There is an orange arrow pointing towards the trail.

Boys go ridge proper, gals follow the route as it wraps around to the left

Halfway through, is the famous slab. We all thought it goes class 4, as most of the holds have been worn smooth by all the hands and shoes treading up and down it. The exposure is limited, especially if you go up the middle of the slab.

Once beyond the slab there is a lot of smooth rock to traverse ridge proper or just slightly to the west of. In one section we stayed ridge proper and had a class 4 descent of blocky slabs. Looking back (photo #19) the class 3 option wrapped around the ledges to the west.

Looking back on the optional class 4. Class 3 wrapps around on the lower ledge

The last crux is finding the SW gully splits North Arapaho's summit block. The key is to go back up to the ridge proper and look for the giant intimidating blocks that tower over and guard the gully. From there it's a scramble up a loose scree gully to the more stable class 3 section above.

Looking for the final crux: SW gully. Note it is not the one on the left

Giant blocks guard North Arapaho's summit

Beyond the big blocks, follow the gully to the wide summit

The summit cairn dominates the landscape and we took a nice break enjoying the well earned summit! This was only Kelli's second peak (the first being Huron) and her first class 3/4 as well.

The views from North Arapaho to the north were just spectacular, and everything I hoped they would be after the long wait to see them.

The rough west face of Navajo infront of Longs Peak

View of the northern IPW never gets old!

The cliffy nature of the N Arapaho summit. Looking back at South Arapaho

We couldn't stay too long on the summit, as puffy clouds were starting to build, and I had a date with "Old Baldy" to attend to. We made quick work of the scrambling sections in reverse, and opted for the class 4 section again. As scrambling up class 4 is much more fun! Only issue we had was a CMC group had set up a rope on the slab crux with 5 people waiting in the queue. Thankfully the trip leader allowed us to pass by first, and we all zipped down the slab quickly and efficiently.

Darrin oblivious to the exposure, strides along

As no one else in my group had the desire or motivation to go hike "Old Baldy", I zipped on ahead once we were through the route finding section of the ridge traverse, and made quick work over to "Old Baldy". On the summit I couldn't resist a quick nap on the summit, as I knew my group was slowly making their way down to the saddle to enjoy some snow cave - frosty beverages. Personally, the view from the third summit of the day was worth the couple minute delay in frosty drinks!

The view worthy of taking the extra steps up Old Baldy

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Doctor No	Nice shots! 08/30/2011 18:34 I always enjoy the IPW - I certainly don't get up there often enough.
USAKeller	SWEET! 08/30/2011 19:02 Now I'm jealous Glad you got the traverse and Old Baldy too! Great TR and photos as usual!
metalmountain	Awesome! 08/30/2011 19:51 That traverse is tons of fun, and that slab ”crux” is nothing as bad as how some descriptions make it out to be. The views of the Boulder watershed from up there are quite beautiful as well.
Monster5	Agreed on the Old Baldy views 08/31/2011 16:06 Definitely worth the quick trip up! I sat up there for awhile trying to figure out where the summit was exactly, though. Congrats on a fun climb!
bergsteigen	Thanks everyone! 09/01/2011 16:32 Caroline - You'll need to get up there eventually for these metalmountain - the slab wasn't bad at all. Though it did turn one guy that was ”following/ghosting us” around! 49ersRule - I'm not even half-way through the Front Range... Plus plenty of other ranges to get to before I have to deal with those! Monster5 - I decided to walk that summit ridge awhile to make sure!
a94buff	great report 09/27/2011 22:33 thanks a bunch, this is a great report and super helpful.
12ersRule	Serious progress on the Front Range 13ers 07/29/2013 18:29 Pretty soon, all there will be left is a bowl of forbidden fruit.

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