Mt. Bancroft Trip Report 07/22/2012

Peak(s):	Mt. Bancroft - 13,262 feet Mt. Eva - 13,131 feet Parry Peak - 13,367 feet
Date Posted:	07/22/2012
Date Climbed:	07/13/2012
Author:	MatB

Witter Peak East Ridge to Parry Pk A Loop
Trip Length - 7.3 mi Elev Gain ~ 3,500 From reading other trip reports I was hoping to avoid the willow cliffs found in the ascent/descend to the ridge leading towards Mt. Eva. My solution was to hike the east ridge of Witter Peak. My initial plan was to head over to Mt. Flora and then proceed to Eva, Parry and Bancorft. The previous nights festivities resulted in a late start (8:45). I parked by the reservoir and found a trail heading up to Chinns Lake. This waterfall was right next to the trail heading up to the lake. At Chinns Lake I started looking for the best route to gain the ridge. View of East Ridge of Witter Pk I followed the road until I found what looked to be the easiest route to the ridge seen in this photo. Note that I was at this point around 9am and there was NOT much dew left on this grassy slope. I imagine this could be quite the pain in the ass if the grass was slick with moisture. Route to Ridge The ridge is pretty straightforward and mellow until you get close to the summit. There are three short sections that provide some opportunity for some fun class 3 scrambling. If your not interested, they can easily be bypassed by climbing right (north) of these section. 1st class 3 section 2nd section 3rd section (most difficult/class 4, maybe low class 5 move) It was during this time that I spotted my only climbing partner for the day Fellow climber Once I reached the summit of Witter Pk, I opted against heading to Mt. Flora as there were already clouds forming and it was 10am. I hustled over to Mt. Eva, then made my way to Parry Pk and finally over to Bancroft. Here is a picture from the top of Eva, looking at the rest of my route (with James Pk in the background) Parry Pk A, James Pk, Mt Bancroft The rest of the hike was fairly uneventful while I enjoyed the solitude of hiking 13ers. Here is a look at the descent back to the car. descent back to car The last thing I will add is to second what has already been said about the Fall River Reservoir area. It is very frustrating to see all of the garbage that the car campers are leaving everywhere. I would suggest following KatieFinn's route (if you can park two separate cars) at Colorado Mines Pk and St. Mary's Glacier. Upon returning to my car I heard two guys letting loose with a paintball gun. Kind of ignored it as this behavior seems to be the norm for the area. Low and behold, I got back to Denver and found a nice orange splotch on the back of my car. Thanks guys, appreciate it. Regardless, still a nice day while being so close to Denver. Sneak peak at my next trip report, Warbonnet Peak in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Absolutely beautiful area! Warbonnet is not in this picture but part of the Cirque of the Towers. Cirque of the Towers, WY Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Witter Peak East Ridge to Parry Pk A Loop

Trip Length - 7.3 mi
Elev Gain ~ 3,500

From reading other trip reports I was hoping to avoid the willow cliffs found in the ascent/descend to the ridge leading towards Mt. Eva. My solution was to hike the east ridge of Witter Peak. My initial plan was to head over to Mt. Flora and then proceed to Eva, Parry and Bancorft. The previous nights festivities resulted in a late start (8:45).

I parked by the reservoir and found a trail heading up to Chinns Lake. This waterfall was right next to the trail heading up to the lake.

At Chinns Lake I started looking for the best route to gain the ridge.

I followed the road until I found what looked to be the easiest route to the ridge seen in this photo. Note that I was at this point around 9am and there was NOT much dew left on this grassy slope. I imagine this could be quite the pain in the ass if the grass was slick with moisture.

The ridge is pretty straightforward and mellow until you get close to the summit. There are three short sections that provide some opportunity for some fun class 3 scrambling. If your not interested, they can easily be bypassed by climbing right (north) of these section.

3rd section (most difficult/class 4, maybe low class 5 move)

It was during this time that I spotted my only climbing partner for the day

Once I reached the summit of Witter Pk, I opted against heading to Mt. Flora as there were already clouds forming and it was 10am. I hustled over to Mt. Eva, then made my way to Parry Pk and finally over to Bancroft.

Here is a picture from the top of Eva, looking at the rest of my route (with James Pk in the background)

The rest of the hike was fairly uneventful while I enjoyed the solitude of hiking 13ers. Here is a look at the descent back to the car.

The last thing I will add is to second what has already been said about the Fall River Reservoir area. It is very frustrating to see all of the garbage that the car campers are leaving everywhere. I would suggest following KatieFinn's route (if you can park two separate cars) at Colorado Mines Pk and St. Mary's Glacier. Upon returning to my car I heard two guys letting loose with a paintball gun. Kind of ignored it as this behavior seems to be the norm for the area. Low and behold, I got back to Denver and found a nice orange splotch on the back of my car. Thanks guys, appreciate it.

Regardless, still a nice day while being so close to Denver.

Sneak peak at my next trip report, Warbonnet Peak in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Absolutely beautiful area! Warbonnet is not in this picture but part of the Cirque of the Towers.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

boudreaux

Classic Loop
7/22/2012 11:50pm

One of the best loops close by too!

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