Peak(s):	Unnamed 13062 B - 13,062 feet
Date Posted:	09/26/2012
Date Climbed:	09/23/2012
Author:	bergsteigen
Additional Members:	USAKeller

Forgotten Elk Gem
Pt 13,062 B Trailhead: Lead King Basin Mileage: 8.15 Elevation Gain: 3,817' Time: 6:20 Beta: Furthermore TR & the Nat Geo Map Not wanting to link a bunch of peaks together like Furthermore did, since Caroline had a time constraint today, we went after the low hanging fruit of a lonesome 13er in the middle of the Elks. I figured it would have great views. No one else seemed interested at the Gathering, their loss. After a long 1.5 hr 4WD to the Lead King Basin trailhead, we quickly gear up and start moving along the trail with haste. Not sure we can complete this trek fast enough for Caroline's 6pm Boulder meeting, but we'd give it a go! The colors on the trees were amazing. We were hoping that the lighting would be better later in the day for some of the up valley shots. The first part of the trail after leaving the usual Snowmass West Slopes/S ridge trail was smooth and easy to travel quickly on. Treasury and Treasure Mtn Pt 13062 B in distance Me hiking along, as fast as possible - Photo credit: Caroline The hardest part of the day would be the ascent and descent using this prominent stream valley. We got into some seriously steep bushwhacking for part of it (as we stayed to the right on the slope above the first part of the stream), but then afterwards, we just followed the dry stream bed up to the grassy mellow slopes above. Our ascent Gully Walking up the dry stream bed - Photo Credit: Caroline Looking back where our stream/gully is Hagarman in the distance We were spying a way to traverse higher and up to the saddle with Pt 13,062 B, when we found a trail. This trail took us all the way up to the base of the peak. It looks like animals use it more than humans, but it was a great time saver! First up close view of Pt 13,062B We got up to the base of the climb and had to shield our eyes from the sun to try and find our line up to the summit. I wasn't wanting to take the ridge up, as there appeared to be some features along the way. Plus we didn't really have much time for route finding the loose ledges. So we did an ascending traverse on loose but stable soil and talus till we found a gully to take us up to the ridge. On the way up, I stuck to the ledges on the right and did some class 4 moves on solid rock. Plenty of trundling to be done by a future solo climber on this route. Caroline stuck to the gully and used the solid rock on her left for the ascent Picking the way through the loose stuff Finding a solid line through the choss Picking our way up on ledges Photo Credit: Caroline Nearing the top of the loose gully Once up on the ridge, we had one more loose gully to ascend before the fun class 3 ledges of the summit block. Again, staying to the right or left in the gully allowed for one to find solid rock to ascend. Up on the ridge, looking up at final pitch Picking a solid line at the side Scramble near the summit, with Snowmass in background Topping out on the summit afforded us some amazing views of the near by 14ers. I think this is one of the best and most unique viewing spots of these peaks, and one that isn't visited much, as evident by the very empty summit register starting in '07. The register was soaked, and we did our best to let it dry in the breeze for the time we had on the summit. Snowmass and Capitol Treasury and Treasure Mtn The Maroon Bells Some other 13ers near Snowmass Village Pano of the Bells and neighbors Pano of Snowmass & Capitol Peaks No fisheye today, just my wide angle lens A nifty valley below The way down while easier, also pointed out how loose these gullies were. It was very tough to not trundle rocks. I missed my solid white rocks that I ascended on the way up and went down the looser blocks by the gully. Once below these 2 gullies, it was an easy plunge stepping traversing descent back to the trail at the saddle. Coming down the solid parts of the gully Saying goodbye to Pt 13062 B and Maroon Back at the lower flat trail, we made quick time back to the trailhead, only stopping to take a couple photos of the golden leaves. The Bells Some pretty leaves The waterfall up to Geneva Lake A final colorful look back at Pt 13,062 B My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): Login required to view this map... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Forgotten Elk Gem Google Map Included

Pt 13,062 B

Trailhead: Lead King Basin
Mileage: 8.15
Elevation Gain: 3,817'
Time: 6:20
Beta: Furthermore TR & the Nat Geo Map

Not wanting to link a bunch of peaks together like Furthermore did, since Caroline had a time constraint today, we went after the low hanging fruit of a lonesome 13er in the middle of the Elks. I figured it would have great views. No one else seemed interested at the Gathering, their loss.

After a long 1.5 hr 4WD to the Lead King Basin trailhead, we quickly gear up and start moving along the trail with haste. Not sure we can complete this trek fast enough for Caroline's 6pm Boulder meeting, but we'd give it a go!

The colors on the trees were amazing. We were hoping that the lighting would be better later in the day for some of the up valley shots. The first part of the trail after leaving the usual Snowmass West Slopes/S ridge trail was smooth and easy to travel quickly on.

Me hiking along, as fast as possible - Photo credit: Caroline

The hardest part of the day would be the ascent and descent using this prominent stream valley. We got into some seriously steep bushwhacking for part of it (as we stayed to the right on the slope above the first part of the stream), but then afterwards, we just followed the dry stream bed up to the grassy mellow slopes above.

Walking up the dry stream bed - Photo Credit: Caroline

We were spying a way to traverse higher and up to the saddle with Pt 13,062 B, when we found a trail. This trail took us all the way up to the base of the peak. It looks like animals use it more than humans, but it was a great time saver!

We got up to the base of the climb and had to shield our eyes from the sun to try and find our line up to the summit. I wasn't wanting to take the ridge up, as there appeared to be some features along the way. Plus we didn't really have much time for route finding the loose ledges. So we did an ascending traverse on loose but stable soil and talus till we found a gully to take us up to the ridge. On the way up, I stuck to the ledges on the right and did some class 4 moves on solid rock. Plenty of trundling to be done by a future solo climber on this route. Caroline stuck to the gully and used the solid rock on her left for the ascent

Once up on the ridge, we had one more loose gully to ascend before the fun class 3 ledges of the summit block. Again, staying to the right or left in the gully allowed for one to find solid rock to ascend.

Up on the ridge, looking up at final pitch

Scramble near the summit, with Snowmass in background

Topping out on the summit afforded us some amazing views of the near by 14ers. I think this is one of the best and most unique viewing spots of these peaks, and one that isn't visited much, as evident by the very empty summit register starting in '07. The register was soaked, and we did our best to let it dry in the breeze for the time we had on the summit.

No fisheye today, just my wide angle lens

The way down while easier, also pointed out how loose these gullies were. It was very tough to not trundle rocks. I missed my solid white rocks that I ascended on the way up and went down the looser blocks by the gully. Once below these 2 gullies, it was an easy plunge stepping traversing descent back to the trail at the saddle.

Coming down the solid parts of the gully

Back at the lower flat trail, we made quick time back to the trailhead, only stopping to take a couple photos of the golden leaves.

A final colorful look back at Pt 13,062 B

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

coloradokevin	No crowds! 09/27/2012 00:14 Thanks for reminding me of the fact that there are still quite a few uncrowded high peaks to be found here in this state.
Johnson	You two 09/27/2012 13:16 Are just darn special! Nice report.
USAKeller	I'm glad you put this up! 09/27/2012 16:46 Great beta for anyone who has that urge for PT 13,062 B . I'm soo glad I came up for it - who would have known we'd have such awesome vantage points of the Bells, Snowmass and Capitol? Just another reason 13ers are great! And, the iPhone photos didn't turn out so bad!. Another great day out with you!
bergsteigen	Thanks! 09/28/2012 16:29 coloradokevin - Once you step off the beaten path of 14ers, and even some popular 13ers, there usually isn't a person in sight all day long! Johnson - Why thank you! Caroline - I'm glad you made the long drive out. With soloing so many peaks, it's always great to have such awesome company! Yeah, my outside iPhone photos usually are not that good. Though next time, attach the camera to the pack

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