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For the past few years, my Independence Day weekend has included either Big Peaks (Rainier) or 13er bagging trips to the San Juans. This year, things spun out a little differently, and long-neglected county highpoints (like those recently featured here in the TR section, thank you Brian Thomas) came to the forefront.
What the peaks featured here share is spectacular scenery off the beaten path trodden by the 'elevation snobs' among us (you know who you are).
I was fortunate to recruit Dave to come along. In fact, he suggested Mt. Zirkel, and I jumped at the chance.
The routes to the Ornos and to Zirkel are well-documented, so I will mostly let pictures tell the story here.
July 4th: NW Orno and Orno Peak
NW Orno: 12,027'
The (unranked) highpoint of Rio Blanco County Orno Peak: 12,133' with 753' of prominence.
16 miles and approximately 3000' gain.
After being delayed at work on Wednesday, I dodged the evil mess of gaperdom that was I-70 between Evergreen and Floyd Hill, taking Clear Creek Canyon instead. Things only got better from there, and I met Dave at the TH around 9:30 p.m. We decided to start hiking around 0600, and morning came much more quickly than I'd have liked.
Still, having been to the Flat Tops before, I knew we had a gorgeous hike ahead, so I got moving and we hit the trail.
We started here, with Flat Top Mountain looking on Our next goal, Mandall Pass, awaits at the center of this photo Looking back toward Flat Top Mountain Atop the pass, little flowers and big views abound Nearing the "summit," which boasts a genuine county highpointer coffee can register Orno Peak seen in the distance Looking back at "NW Orno" Dave heads for the summit of Orno Peak A little class 2 fun leads to the summit
Mt. Zirkel: 12,180' with 3,470' of prominence (CO Rank #14)
Routt County and Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Highpoint
17.5 miles and approximately 4000' gain
Most people do this one as a backpack, and that was our plan, at least initially. Having heard stories of how amazing this place is, I did not want to rush things. However, we underestimated the length of the Orno combo, and found ourselves in Steamboat Springs realizing that after getting our packs ready, hiking in, and hurrying to do so, we'd expend less overall energy and get more sleep if we just day hiked it. So, we did!
We arose at the ungodly hour of 0430, and were hiking by 0515. I had some trepidation about the length of the hike, given our efforts of the previous day, but this was Mt. Zirkel! I'd been waiting for this one for years.
Welcome! Waterfall 1.5 miles in First of several creek crossings Gold Creek Lake (good camping spot at 2.8 miles in) We were glad to have microspikes for parts of this Looking back at our route Red Dirt Pass We ascended this grassy slope toward Zirkel First look at Zirkel "Peggy Peak" Dave heads toward the summit ridge Big Agnes Peak, one I hope to return for Summit ridge rock Looking back toward Red Dirt Pass Old mining cabin Chilly crossing of Gold Creek
The looong hike out went more quickly than expected, and cold beers at the TH rewarded us with hoppy goodness.
Thanks, Dave, for making a great weekend arise from the ashes of another plan.
Congrats to both of you - I've joined the burgeoning jealous, looky-loo tribe - been wanting to explore the Zirkel wilderness for awhile.
Great TR and pics!! The bait has become irresistible! :D
Plenty of seduction to be had below 13K.
Sometimes Plan B is just right.
What beautiful photos, Matt! And, nice of you to bring "Dave" along. This one's for you "Dave" ... :shock: :wink:
We did do that backpacking/camping thing for Zirkel (in fact, the climb ended up being a loop ... ended up climbing one route and descending another encircling the whole mountain). I really love the wildflower shots. You picked a couple areas that are seldom visited ... my type of trip. Thanks for posting. Happy trails, my friend! :D
Thanks for posting this Matt. I know you've been wanting this one for a while now. This looks like something that I need to share with a few of the young ladies in my life.
I was actually thinking of hitting Orno later this summer as a Dad-Daughter trip. Awesome timing!
James, I will admit to hitting the "Enhance" button in iPhoto, but that's really it. I think good photos come from the person, camera, and being in the right place at the right time. Sayre, it looks like you had a pretty memorable weekend yourself. Congrats! Sunny, will this persuade you to end your elevation snobbery? Anna, thanks. You two have pretty good taste in peaks, yourselves. Sorry I couldn't join in the IPW a couple weeks back. Maybe we can do something later this year? Rick, Kest, thank you! Scot, no class, just a new camera. We need to try and plan our Fall car camping extravaganza sooner than later this year, eh? Dan, thanks. I think you will dig the Flat Tops. Just take bug spray. Let's try and get out this summer. Presto Why does it not surprise me that you and "the man" made a loop out of this? Let's do another WoB happy hour with cheap Mexican food some Tuesday soon. Brian, I am sure you'll be as jazzed as I was to check that box when you get there. Thank you for your participation. SuperPolok, thanks for the compliment. Coming from you, it means a lot! Cameron, if you like the photos, then I am truly proud. I can only hope to follow in your footsteps. Dave, thanks for making this happen. I look forward to our next outing!
Gotta say, this is right up our alley, as we've been working on plans to get up there for the Zirkel wilderness experience. As Anna mentioned, we almost made it this past weekend, but the weather forecast took a dive. Long drive to get washed out. Now I wish we had, as it would have been good and appropriate to run into you out there. Jack Brauer has taken some great pics of the Sawtooth Range, Scott P has written good things about the area in the past, and now your TR confirms it: we need to get up there. We should put something together for later this year, maybe with Scot and crew, or for Big Agnes or some other off-the-beaten-path wilderness high point.
I made a couple attempts to get up to the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness but was forced to bail on the hikes due to thunderstorms. I spent both times just driving the roads and scoping for good camping spots for ”next time.” Until then I'll have to live vicariously through your trip report. Congrats on getting up to a beautiful area.
Why don't you take your anti-elevationism sentiments to another web site, huh!? :lol: In all seriousness, it looks like you guys had a fun time in a beautiful area.
I was ”turned on” to the Mt. Zirkel area recently, and your TR makes me want to go even more. Great write-up. That's (at least) two awesome Fourth of July trips in a row for you. Keep the tradition going!
Darrin, you'll have to stop repeating 14ers to find a "Matt Place," :lol: Kimo, thanks. The six photos on Brauer's website are enough to make someone want to head up there. I'd be game to go back for Big Agnes. Scot: this is for you I was thinking of it as soon as I read your comment. Blyth, we've been saying catch up soon for too long. Richard: What are you doing these days? Sunny, I will await reports of these low peaks...
Steph, how's 4 Corners life? I hope you're making the most of it. Hardtack: It's funny you mention Scotland. I watched one of the Highlander movies the night before I wrote this up. Jeff, thanks for making July 4th weekend 2012 one for the record books. We did things right.
Good times! Also thanks for the intro to GKnight. I picked up a 4pack on Saturday. I like!
Think that Zirkel is one of those must see places in Colorado. For me, it compared to some of the best on the 14er standard tour: Snowmass lake, the Bells, Willow Creek, Chicago Basin.
Just saw this, great trip report. Thanks for posting. I was thinking about a similar trip.
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