Mt. Flora Trip Report 02/20/2013

Peak(s):	Mt. Flora - 13,129 feet Mt. Eva - 13,131 feet Witter Peak - 12884
Date Posted:	02/20/2013
Date Climbed:	02/19/2013
Author:	B[3]

Calling of the Cornice
Colorado Mines Peak, Mt Flora, Witter Peak, Mt Eva TH: Berthoud Pass RT distance: ~10.5 mi (GPS) elevation: 4100 ft Cornice viewed on the descent from Colorado Mines Peak en route to Mt Flora. I was pretty tired from our rock climbing trip last weekend, but I couldn't pass up the wind forecast for Tuesday (and I'm not sure when I'll get back out, given the snow forecast). After considering several options, I decided to go for a long day on the Divide. Turned out to be a good choice, with the probably the lowest wind speeds I've encountered this winter. While I've gone snowshoeing at Berthoud Pass, I'd never hiked up to Colorado Mines Peak, so I decided to start with that. The snow was pretty deep on the initial slope, and I'd recommend snowshoes (note: there is a road up to the buildings on CO Mines Peak that has a nice packed snowcat or such track on it that may be an alternative--I didn't try it). Looking up the initial slope to Colorado Mines Peak. Once I got above treeline, the slope was nicely windblown. I kept my snowshoes on for added traction on the way up, and on the way down, I wore my microspikes on this section. Looking down the initial slope towards the parking area; boy the cars look small! Great day for views! I tried to get reference points in my photos so that I could go back and identify peaks at home--Engelmann is at the left side of the photo. The way to Mt Flora looked good--I avoided the windblown snow by staying on the talus to the left. Ridge to Cone Mtn (I believe) on the right And then I started catching glimpses of cornices. Wow. I was glad that I was able to avoid the snow associated with the cornices, but I found myself stopping frequently to take pictures: Slightly different vantage than the first photo. I was happy to see the trail avoiding the windblown snow. Flora, Eva, Parry and Bancroft peaking out The trail was quite nice and went quickly: A look back at the trail. Soon, I was on the summit of Flora: Looking west from the summit of Flora. It was a beautiful day, so I decided to keep going. On my way to the drop-off between Flora and Eva: Heading towards Eva and (unbeknownst to me at the time) the crux of the day Now, I didn't realize how steeply my route off Flora towards Eva would descend (should have taken a closer look at the topo map and GPS). I didn't put on my microspikes before starting my descent, which was a mistake. I carefully picked my way down, avoiding the windblown snow as much as possible. I slid more than I would have liked and would have been more comfortable in my microspikes. There wasn't a good stopping point, so I just went for it. Given the slope steepness, I only took one photo looking down: A look down the steep slope. Boy was I glad to reach the saddle! A look back up the slope I just came down (I stayed to the right of the windblown snow): I was glad I could avoid most of the windblown snow. Looking ahead, I was impressed by the cliffs on Witter Peak and decided I needed a closer look: Looking at Witter. The large plateau to Witter was quite gentle, and I reached the summit fairly quickly. I just had to look over the edge: You know you're a rock climber when... Flora looks impressive from this side. Okay, so I learned a valuable lesson from this trip--spend more time evaluating your topo map. Somehow, I mixed up Eva and Parry in my head, so when I started heading down from Witter, I was disappointed by the amount of distance left to cover (I thought Eva was the middle summit, while in actuality Eva is the snowy peak to the left, Parry is in the middle and Bancroft is to the right): That snowy bump to the left can't be an actual peak, can it? I didn't spot the building until I was nearing the summit, which is when I realized I was approaching Eva's summit. The peak I had been excited about (even though it looked pretty far away) was Parry. Oops. Well, the ridge between Bancroft and Parry looks pretty pleasant, so I'll have to come back for them. Heading down from Witter's summit--the ridge to the right leads to Eva. Love these open alpine areas! Not much snow up here! The building just below Eva's summit comes into view: Parry looked tempting, but it was getting late so I decided to head back (I also didn't want to have to go back up and over Eva): Parry with James just poking out to the right. More clouds started coming in on the way back, making for a nice photo of my trip: I made sure to get out my microspikes and my ice axe for the trip back up the crux slope. Even though I mostly stayed off the windblown snow, I found the axe was useful for balance. From there, it just felt like a long hike back to the car. Definitely enjoyed this trip, although I'm not sure I would have felt comfortable had the snow been more continuous. I was happy that I could avoid the snow associated with the cornices! I'll leave you with a picture I took when I first arrived at the trailhead: Looking towards RMNP and IPW My route: And if you don't want to be surprised by some of the elevation loss (like I was): A look at the ups and downs of the route. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Calling of the Cornice

Colorado Mines Peak, Mt Flora, Witter Peak, Mt Eva

TH: Berthoud Pass
RT distance: ~10.5 mi (GPS)
elevation: 4100 ft

Cornice viewed on the descent from Colorado Mines Peak en route to Mt Flora.

I was pretty tired from our rock climbing trip last weekend, but I couldn't pass up the wind forecast for Tuesday (and I'm not sure when I'll get back out, given the snow forecast). After considering several options, I decided to go for a long day on the Divide. Turned out to be a good choice, with the probably the lowest wind speeds I've encountered this winter.

While I've gone snowshoeing at Berthoud Pass, I'd never hiked up to Colorado Mines Peak, so I decided to start with that. The snow was pretty deep on the initial slope, and I'd recommend snowshoes (note: there is a road up to the buildings on CO Mines Peak that has a nice packed snowcat or such track on it that may be an alternative--I didn't try it).

Looking up the initial slope to Colorado Mines Peak.

Once I got above treeline, the slope was nicely windblown. I kept my snowshoes on for added traction on the way up, and on the way down, I wore my microspikes on this section.

Looking down the initial slope towards the parking area; boy the cars look small!

Great day for views! I tried to get reference points in my photos so that I could go back and identify peaks at home--Engelmann is at the left side of the photo.

The way to Mt Flora looked good--I avoided the windblown snow by staying on the talus to the left.

Ridge to Cone Mtn (I believe) on the right

And then I started catching glimpses of cornices. Wow. I was glad that I was able to avoid the snow associated with the cornices, but I found myself stopping frequently to take pictures:

Slightly different vantage than the first photo.

I was happy to see the trail avoiding the windblown snow.

Flora, Eva, Parry and Bancroft peaking out

The trail was quite nice and went quickly:

Soon, I was on the summit of Flora:

It was a beautiful day, so I decided to keep going. On my way to the drop-off between Flora and Eva:

Heading towards Eva and (unbeknownst to me at the time) the crux of the day

Now, I didn't realize how steeply my route off Flora towards Eva would descend (should have taken a closer look at the topo map and GPS). I didn't put on my microspikes before starting my descent, which was a mistake. I carefully picked my way down, avoiding the windblown snow as much as possible. I slid more than I would have liked and would have been more comfortable in my microspikes. There wasn't a good stopping point, so I just went for it. Given the slope steepness, I only took one photo looking down:

Boy was I glad to reach the saddle! A look back up the slope I just came down (I stayed to the right of the windblown snow):

I was glad I could avoid most of the windblown snow.

Looking ahead, I was impressed by the cliffs on Witter Peak and decided I needed a closer look:

The large plateau to Witter was quite gentle, and I reached the summit fairly quickly. I just had to look over the edge:

Okay, so I learned a valuable lesson from this trip--spend more time evaluating your topo map. Somehow, I mixed up Eva and Parry in my head, so when I started heading down from Witter, I was disappointed by the amount of distance left to cover (I thought Eva was the middle summit, while in actuality Eva is the snowy peak to the left, Parry is in the middle and Bancroft is to the right):

That snowy bump to the left can't be an actual peak, can it?

I didn't spot the building until I was nearing the summit, which is when I realized I was approaching Eva's summit. The peak I had been excited about (even though it looked pretty far away) was Parry. Oops. Well, the ridge between Bancroft and Parry looks pretty pleasant, so I'll have to come back for them.

Heading down from Witter's summit--the ridge to the right leads to Eva.

Not much snow up here! The building just below Eva's summit comes into view:

Parry looked tempting, but it was getting late so I decided to head back (I also didn't want to have to go back up and over Eva):

Parry with James just poking out to the right.

More clouds started coming in on the way back, making for a nice photo of my trip:

I made sure to get out my microspikes and my ice axe for the trip back up the crux slope. Even though I mostly stayed off the windblown snow, I found the axe was useful for balance. From there, it just felt like a long hike back to the car. Definitely enjoyed this trip, although I'm not sure I would have felt comfortable had the snow been more continuous. I was happy that I could avoid the snow associated with the cornices! I'll leave you with a picture I took when I first arrived at the trailhead:

My route:

And if you don't want to be surprised by some of the elevation loss (like I was):

A look at the ups and downs of the route.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Jay521	I remember that... 2/21/2013 4:21pm ... steep slope off Flora. And like you, I hadn't studied my topo either so it was a bit of a surprise. But the first time I did it was in the summer so I was ready for it the next time. Nice pictures of some GREAT scenery!
B[3]	Thanks! 2/21/2013 7:56pm It was beautiful up there, and I didn't see another person until I got back to the trailhead. It can be a bit intimidating to attempt peaks that I haven't previously done as solo trips in winter; I've learned some valuable lessons from my solo trips this year. I certainly appreciate all of the information I've gotten from this site, as it has been invaluable in my trip planning.
Papillon	Three attempts 2/21/2013 8:29pm We finally got to Parry on attempt #3. On our first attempt we accidentally went to Point 12645 on your map by mistake. It is a long way to Parry and back. We crawled under the door and chilled in the shelter to get out of the wind but with the lack of sunlight, we got colder, I think. When you go back, you can take shelter in the sun on the backside of the building. There is some protection from the wind there but that ridge is always windy. A character builder to say the least.
B[3]	When I go back... 2/22/2013 4:11am for Parry, I think I'll go from the east side. I've never been to Loch Lomond, and I'd like to check out that basin. Depending on when I go, I'd like to attempt the East Ridge on Bancroft and then head over to Parry. Although, setting up a car shuttle and hiking the ridge from Flora to Bancroft could be fun...
scott goldberg	a favorite area!!! 2/22/2013 3:13pm Thanks for the great report...the photos are outstanding. Been up the drainages from the east a couple of times, from Fall River Reservoir and Chinns Lake...great hikes.

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