Handies Peak Trip Report 07/02/2012

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Handies Peak - 14,058 feet
Date Posted	07/02/2012
Modified	02/20/2015
Date Climbed	07/02/2012
Author	Stee Vee Dee

Handling Handies the Second Time Around
In late August 2006, I attempted Handies after an early morning rain in Lake City. I could see snow on the summit, but perservered until about 13000. There was intermittent thundersnow with clearing off periods. I had never seen such rapid weather shifts. Handies with snow above 13000 in August 2006 In July 2012, the weather was much better. Handies was by far the easiest 14er remaining on my list, so it looked like a good warmup for the 2012 season. We took the Ford Fusion (5" clearance) up the shelf road to Grizzly Gulch trailhead with no problems, just going slow and careful. Handies from trailhead in September 2008 Important Trailhead Info--Restrooms Going up Handies was a treat this time around. We reached timberline in an hour Handies Peak in July 2012--no snow and the summit in a little less than four hours. There was excellent scenary in all directions with profuse wildflowers. Wildflowers along the way Handies from Treeline Beth climbing through the upper 12's Such a change from Kansas where it has been quite hot and dry. This route was not particularly busy for a Monday. There were even a few runners training for a long trail run that included the top of Handies. Although I run a couple of miles a day at 1300 feet, I am not up to running that distance, at this elevation, and on rocks. Kudos to them. The surrounding peaks that I have not climbed: Wetterhorn Wetterhorn from 13000--one of the targets for next year and the Wilsons from about 25 miles away The Vermillion Group from the summit. Someday, Maybe As well as old friends: Uncompahgre Uncompahgre from a hazy summit . The last 1000 feet to the summit went fine as well. Wildflowers higher up Approaching the summit Looking down the summit ridge What do you do atop a 14er? I eat and take pictures; Wetterhorn from a hazy summit Sloan Lake Together on the summit however, if you are an athletic young man, you do pushups, lots of pushups. Sean--first 14er--planning on pushups I am not sure that I can do pushups at sea level, much less at 14000 feet. Kudos to him as well. A family of Michiganders who had ascended from American Basin joined in the picture swapping. Michiganders on the summit Looking west to Jones & Niagara Looking toward American Basin Viewing descent route There were good views of Redcloud and Sunshine on the descent Heading down toward Redcloud and Sunshine Redcloud and Sunshine from farther down On the descent, it clouded up and began to sprinkle at times. Descent toward Lake Fork I was hoping the road would stay dry since the Fusion would more likely have trouble on a muddy road. We reached the trailhead in a little under three hours, for a round trip of 6:50. Close to the trailhead, I saw a wild horse and a colt. They spooked quite easily. Good day and #32 in the peakbagging bag. Tired but not anguished. #32 Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Handling Handies the Second Time Around

In late August 2006, I attempted Handies after an early morning rain in Lake City. I could see snow on the summit, but perservered until about 13000. There was intermittent thundersnow with clearing off periods. I had never seen such rapid weather shifts.

Handies with snow above 13000 in August 2006

In July 2012, the weather was much better. Handies was by far the easiest 14er remaining on my list, so it looked like a good warmup for the 2012 season. We took the Ford Fusion (5" clearance) up the shelf road to Grizzly Gulch trailhead with no problems, just going slow and careful.

Handies from trailhead in September 2008

Going up Handies was a treat this time around. We reached timberline in an hour

and the summit in a little less than four hours. There was excellent scenary in all directions with profuse wildflowers.

Such a change from Kansas where it has been quite hot and dry.

This route was not particularly busy for a Monday. There were even a few runners training for a long trail run that included the top of Handies. Although I run a couple of miles a day at 1300 feet, I am not up to running that distance, at this elevation, and on rocks. Kudos to them. The surrounding peaks that I have not climbed: Wetterhorn

Wetterhorn from 13000--one of the targets for next year

and the Wilsons from about 25 miles away

The Vermillion Group from the summit. Someday, Maybe

As well as old friends: Uncompahgre

. The last 1000 feet to the summit went fine as well.

What do you do atop a 14er? I eat and take pictures;

however, if you are an athletic young man, you do pushups, lots of pushups.

I am not sure that I can do pushups at sea level, much less at 14000 feet. Kudos to him as well. A family of Michiganders who had ascended from American Basin joined in the picture swapping.

There were good views of Redcloud and Sunshine on the descent

Heading down toward Redcloud and Sunshine

On the descent, it clouded up and began to sprinkle at times.

I was hoping the road would stay dry since the Fusion would more likely have trouble on a muddy road. We reached the trailhead in a little under three hours, for a round trip of 6:50. Close to the trailhead, I saw a wild horse and a colt. They spooked quite easily.

Good day and #32 in the peakbagging bag.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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