Humboldt Peak Trip Report 07/16/2013

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Humboldt Peak - 14,068 feet
Date Posted	07/16/2013
Modified	07/18/2013
Date Climbed	07/16/2013
Author	KarenG

Humboldt - West Ridge
We seriously debated whether to use the east or west ridge route. Despite the extra distance we went for the west ridge. There had been quite a lot of rain the previous day and we figured we would be soaked by the time we bushwhacked above tree line on the east ridge. It was the right choice for the day but if it is dry it might be worth going up the east ridge and down the west. The west ridge is by far more scenic. If you want to see wildflowers get to Humboldt now. The valley around the South Colony Lakes was lush and green and there were flowers everywhere. There is a cutoff trail that based on my GPS track will save about 3/4 of a mile each way but it avoids the most scenic parts of the route. I would recommend using only one way on your hike. The bottom intersection has a sign and it is at N37 57.880 W105 32.751. The intersection at the top isn't marked but you will clearly see it at N37 57.924 W105 33.713. We used the cutoff on the way down and it was easy to follow but still had several large mud puddles after the rain from the previous day. There were marmots everywhere and we also saw a half dozen sheep on the climb up to the saddle from the lakes. Once we reached the saddle we found the rock cairns extremely helpful in the rockier sections where it was hard to find the trail. I have a 2005 Subaru Outback that I have driven off road a fair amount but I'm really glad we were in my friend's Jeep. Most of the road to the South Colony Lakes trailhead was just rocky and wouldn't have been a problem but there were a couple spots that I think I would have had trouble getting through without scraping bottom. I did see a couple similar vehicles in the parking lot so I guess it just depends on your tolerance for those kinds of things. 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):

Humboldt - West Ridge

We seriously debated whether to use the east or west ridge route. Despite the extra distance we went for the west ridge. There had been quite a lot of rain the previous day and we figured we would be soaked by the time we bushwhacked above tree line on the east ridge. It was the right choice for the day but if it is dry it might be worth going up the east ridge and down the west. The west ridge is by far more scenic.

If you want to see wildflowers get to Humboldt now. The valley around the South Colony Lakes was lush and green and there were flowers everywhere. There is a cutoff trail that based on my GPS track will save about 3/4 of a mile each way but it avoids the most scenic parts of the route. I would recommend using only one way on your hike. The bottom intersection has a sign and it is at N37 57.880 W105 32.751. The intersection at the top isn't marked but you will clearly see it at N37 57.924 W105 33.713. We used the cutoff on the way down and it was easy to follow but still had several large mud puddles after the rain from the previous day.

There were marmots everywhere and we also saw a half dozen sheep on the climb up to the saddle from the lakes. Once we reached the saddle we found the rock cairns extremely helpful in the rockier sections where it was hard to find the trail.

I have a 2005 Subaru Outback that I have driven off road a fair amount but I'm really glad we were in my friend's Jeep. Most of the road to the South Colony Lakes trailhead was just rocky and wouldn't have been a problem but there were a couple spots that I think I would have had trouble getting through without scraping bottom. I did see a couple similar vehicles in the parking lot so I guess it just depends on your tolerance for those kinds of things.

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

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

MountainDawg	Nice Pictures 7/19/2013 3:34am :wink:
Gerrybear	humboldt & dogs 8/8/2013 4:49pm I have an Australian Shepherd who's done about 20 of my 40 and he probably does better than me, so the purpose of this post is to ask whether you took your dog and did you have have any concerns with the mountain goats.
KarenG	Dogs 8/8/2013 11:51pm Neither of us has a dog so I can't really comment on how one might do on this hike. The goats seemed pretty calm around us but the young one got curious and started to approach. That made me a little nervous since I knew its mother wouldn't be thrilled. She kept an eye on things and they all eventually moved further from the trail.

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