Peak(s):	Rito Alto Peak - 13,794 feet "Peak of the Clouds" - 13,524 feet Spread Eagle Peak - 13,423 feet Hermit Peak A - 13,350 feet Eureka Mountain A - 13,507 feet
Date Posted:	08/14/2013
Date Climbed:	08/11/2013
Author:	bergsteigen

They think my truck is sexy?
Rito Alto Peak, "Peak of the Clouds", Spread Eagle Peak, Hermit Peak A, Eureka Mountain A Trailhead: Horshoe Lake (along Hermit Pass Road, ~12K) Mileage: 9.6 Elevation Gain: 4,888' Partner: Solo Road beta: Hermit Pass I've grown used to the stares I get in my truck. Sometimes it's just 4x4 jealousy, or wondering what a gal is doing driving a truck/road like that. Other times it was Native Alaskans letting me know I was not welcome in their village. But on the drive up the very popular Hermit Pass road, I got rubber necked by almost every dude at the campsites along the road, and there were quite a few. Even the group of 4-wheelers were staring at me when they turned around to go back down the road, like I was odd or something. All I could come up with for a reason, is a paraphrase off a local rock radio stations' commercial - She thinks my tractor's sexy!? Or is it that they wanted me to invite them to go Cruise? A few were cute enough... So, back to the road. It certainly is a high clearance 4WD road, with careful tire placements necessary. I didn't find it too difficult, but then again with a 2.5" lift kit, I really only have to worry about my tires and axles now. Can't wait for bigger, better tires! I could have easily driven to the top of the pass, but the clouds above looked a bit nasty, so I decided to stop by the overlook to Horseshoe Lake. I figure this is the best campsite along the road, view will be great in the morning! Soon after arriving, the rain, sleet and wind starts. The wind rocked my truck all night long, not sure if that helped or hurt my sleep, but I didn't want to wake up in the morning. Kept hitting snooze. The wind didn't make me too comfortable with an early start. Rocks were sure to be plastered with ice and snow above. Part of me also wanted to see sunrise from my stellar campsite. It did not disappoint! Alpenglow on Hermit Peak Alpen glow on Eureka Mountain I Love my truck! So once I was satisfied with the sunrise, I started walking up the road. Found a nice trail after one of the early switchbacks to avoid the bigger road switchbacks. The trail will take you almost all the way to the top of the pass, so that's nice. Along the way I spied out my descent path down the cliffs. The night previous, they looked quite steep, and I wasn't sure if it "went" or not. Viewing the cliffs and Horshoe Lake Rito Alto's SE face At the pass I look west to see some peaks that look like fun. They look low, and at the time I thought they might be 12ers. But once I got home, realized they are the unnamed 13ers I had planned for a back-up hike. Sweet! Oooo what peaks are those? The ridge up to Rito Alto's summit did prove to be a slippery, rocky, icy ascent, so hiking it in the dark would have been a bad idea. Poor frozen flowers! Rito Alto's frosty summit ridge Once on Rito Alto's summit, the way over to Peak of the Clouds and Spread Eagle looks long. 2 miles out and back, with a huge drop off Rito Alto. Hmmm, wonder if I can traverse low on the return? I never plan to contour, as one can never really tell without seeing it in person. Time to keep my eyes open! The descent off Rito Alto is steep with big blocky icy talus. Rather slow going for a while until I got down to the nice springy tundra. Looking south from Rito Alto The path toward Peak of the Clouds and Spread Eagle Looking back at Rito Alto Steep grunt up Peak of the Clouds, but all easy class 2 walking. Just another mile out. The last bit up Spread Eagle looked like it could get interesting, but there is a hiker's class 2 path to the east of the ridge. Final push up Peak of the Clouds On Peak of the Clouds, looking at Spread Eagle Spread Eagle Final rocky ridge up Spread Eagle The puffies have started already, and it's barely 9am. Guess I really should traverse as low as possible on the return. Never quite sure if it really saves much time, but the last section of ridge up to Rito Alto's summit on this side was kinda treacherous with the ice, so I'd rather avoid that again! Pano from Spread Eagle Along Rito Alto's east face, there appears to be a slight terrace system low and higher up on the face. Looking at my photos from the other side, I didn't want the low traverse, since then I'd have to pick my way up talus on the far side. So I chose the one higher up. Still some route finding to do, as you make your way around the big blocky cliffs on the east face, but the terrace full of red paintbrushes go's. Start of the ledge system on NE face Red paintbrush ledge system on SE face, looking at Hermit Pass Looking back on red paintbrush ledge Once back on the ridge, I can breathe a little easier. The last two peaks should be fairly simple ridge walking. The temperatures had finally gotten warm enough to melt the ice and snow, and mist was rising. I wasn't too worried about storms, but I still didn't dawdle on my way to the next peaks. Never comfortable until I'm on my way down! Nearing the pass, looking at Hermit Peak Misty Eureka Mountain from Hermit Once on Hermit Peaks' summit (I walked over both, as it was hard to say which was higher until you got there), I can see the mass of 4x4 humanity buzzing around below. Plenty of people fishing the lake as well. Rito Alto from Hermit Ridge from Hermit to Eureka A ridge bump along the way to Eureka Looking back at Hermit Peak The steep grassy slope up Eureka Once on the summit of Eureka Mountain, I relax a bit, even though the mist is rising behind me in the valley. A little creepy, but as I can see that the puffies around me are not rising into storm clouds, I enjoy the last rocky summit. Mist rising on the west side of Eureka's sunmmit Now all I have to do is find a gully or ledge traverse to get down to Horseshoe Lake. I get above the first one... and it go's! Yay! I don't bother to look at the others, since I found my path! The ledge system that drops a little further NW might be a bit more gradual of a descent. The willows below meant a bit more winding around to find the path up to my truck, but not too bad. Dropping down to the cliffs by Horshoe Lake, Hermit on left The first gully goes! So do the next couple Looking over at Hermit and Rito Alto before I drop into gully Semi loose gully #1, but class 2 Looking back at the descent cliffs. I sat up at my truck for a while eating my lunch, and allowing the numerous 4-wheelers and 4x4 trucks to start heading down and home. The road above treeline is quite narrow, and while I've had to do the back-up to the last pull-out before, I'd rather not today! Overall, a very unique experience in the picturesque Sangres! And no, I didn't go get it stuck, but I did blow through some stop signs 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):

They think my truck is sexy? Google Map Included

Rito Alto Peak, "Peak of the Clouds", Spread Eagle Peak, Hermit Peak A, Eureka Mountain A

Trailhead: Horshoe Lake (along Hermit Pass Road, ~12K)
Mileage: 9.6
Elevation Gain: 4,888'
Partner: Solo
Road beta: Hermit Pass

I've grown used to the stares I get in my truck. Sometimes it's just 4x4 jealousy, or wondering what a gal is doing driving a truck/road like that. Other times it was Native Alaskans letting me know I was not welcome in their village. But on the drive up the very popular Hermit Pass road, I got rubber necked by almost every dude at the campsites along the road, and there were quite a few. Even the group of 4-wheelers were staring at me when they turned around to go back down the road, like I was odd or something. All I could come up with for a reason, is a paraphrase off a local rock radio stations' commercial - She thinks my tractor's sexy!?

Or is it that they wanted me to invite them to go Cruise? A few were cute enough...

So, back to the road. It certainly is a high clearance 4WD road, with careful tire placements necessary. I didn't find it too difficult, but then again with a 2.5" lift kit, I really only have to worry about my tires and axles now. Can't wait for bigger, better tires! I could have easily driven to the top of the pass, but the clouds above looked a bit nasty, so I decided to stop by the overlook to Horseshoe Lake. I figure this is the best campsite along the road, view will be great in the morning!

Soon after arriving, the rain, sleet and wind starts. The wind rocked my truck all night long, not sure if that helped or hurt my sleep, but I didn't want to wake up in the morning. Kept hitting snooze. The wind didn't make me too comfortable with an early start. Rocks were sure to be plastered with ice and snow above. Part of me also wanted to see sunrise from my stellar campsite. It did not disappoint!

I Love my truck!

So once I was satisfied with the sunrise, I started walking up the road. Found a nice trail after one of the early switchbacks to avoid the bigger road switchbacks. The trail will take you almost all the way to the top of the pass, so that's nice. Along the way I spied out my descent path down the cliffs. The night previous, they looked quite steep, and I wasn't sure if it "went" or not.

At the pass I look west to see some peaks that look like fun. They look low, and at the time I thought they might be 12ers. But once I got home, realized they are the unnamed 13ers I had planned for a back-up hike. Sweet!

The ridge up to Rito Alto's summit did prove to be a slippery, rocky, icy ascent, so hiking it in the dark would have been a bad idea. Poor frozen flowers!

Once on Rito Alto's summit, the way over to Peak of the Clouds and Spread Eagle looks long. 2 miles out and back, with a huge drop off Rito Alto. Hmmm, wonder if I can traverse low on the return? I never plan to contour, as one can never really tell without seeing it in person. Time to keep my eyes open! The descent off Rito Alto is steep with big blocky icy talus. Rather slow going for a while until I got down to the nice springy tundra.

The path toward Peak of the Clouds and Spread Eagle

Steep grunt up Peak of the Clouds, but all easy class 2 walking. Just another mile out. The last bit up Spread Eagle looked like it could get interesting, but there is a hiker's class 2 path to the east of the ridge.

On Peak of the Clouds, looking at Spread Eagle

The puffies have started already, and it's barely 9am. Guess I really should traverse as low as possible on the return. Never quite sure if it really saves much time, but the last section of ridge up to Rito Alto's summit on this side was kinda treacherous with the ice, so I'd rather avoid that again!

Along Rito Alto's east face, there appears to be a slight terrace system low and higher up on the face. Looking at my photos from the other side, I didn't want the low traverse, since then I'd have to pick my way up talus on the far side. So I chose the one higher up. Still some route finding to do, as you make your way around the big blocky cliffs on the east face, but the terrace full of red paintbrushes go's.

Red paintbrush ledge system on SE face, looking at Hermit Pass

Once back on the ridge, I can breathe a little easier. The last two peaks should be fairly simple ridge walking. The temperatures had finally gotten warm enough to melt the ice and snow, and mist was rising. I wasn't too worried about storms, but I still didn't dawdle on my way to the next peaks. Never comfortable until I'm on my way down!

Nearing the pass, looking at Hermit Peak

Once on Hermit Peaks' summit (I walked over both, as it was hard to say which was higher until you got there), I can see the mass of 4x4 humanity buzzing around below. Plenty of people fishing the lake as well.

Once on the summit of Eureka Mountain, I relax a bit, even though the mist is rising behind me in the valley. A little creepy, but as I can see that the puffies around me are not rising into storm clouds, I enjoy the last rocky summit.

Mist rising on the west side of Eureka's sunmmit

Now all I have to do is find a gully or ledge traverse to get down to Horseshoe Lake. I get above the first one... and it go's! Yay! I don't bother to look at the others, since I found my path! The ledge system that drops a little further NW might be a bit more gradual of a descent. The willows below meant a bit more winding around to find the path up to my truck, but not too bad.

Dropping down to the cliffs by Horshoe Lake, Hermit on left

The first gully goes! So do the next couple

Looking over at Hermit and Rito Alto before I drop into gully

I sat up at my truck for a while eating my lunch, and allowing the numerous 4-wheelers and 4x4 trucks to start heading down and home. The road above treeline is quite narrow, and while I've had to do the back-up to the last pull-out before, I'd rather not today! Overall, a very unique experience in the picturesque Sangres!

And no, I didn't go get it stuck, but I did blow through some stop signs

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

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

piper14er	I don't know about the truck 08/14/2013 18:42 but your website is nice good day you had, hit most of those with snow myself, except Eureka I have taken the wife camping a few times up Hermit Road and it has some fairly rocky sections(only a 3-4 rating I see), nice camp spot at about 11,600
MtnHub	Beautiful shots! 08/14/2013 20:26 Beautiful shots, Otina! (as usual) Thanks for your post!
Chicago Transplant	Funny Looks 08/15/2013 15:02 I got a lot of weird looks on that road too, but then again aside from 3 Mennonites, I was the only one walking it so I guess that was why Nice area though, especially up on the peaks!
traderaaron	Hermit Pass Road 08/15/2013 15:46 Could you describe the road a little more, or compare to other 4x4 roads. I've heard various descriptions but am wondering whether I want to drive this or not, or how far up I want to drive it and then walk.
bergsteigen	Thanks everyone! 08/15/2013 16:21 piper14er - Thanks, my website is a labor of love. Lots of great camping spots up there. nkan02 - Just wait till I go beast mode Chicago Transplant - Walking that road? Sounds awful! Too rocky. Rather liking the Sangres! Looking forward to more. traderaaron - The road is not as bad as the one up Cottonwood by Rainbow Reservoir, and easier than the road up Sneffels. Traildamage.com is a great resource, as it gives ratings on various roads. So you can compare to what you've done. There are lots of campsites below treeline, so you can stop whenever you like (or there's a spot free). It's fairly rocky, with a couple large(r) rocks to either avoid or put a tire on. I put it into 4WD low once above treeline, and on the way down, so I would have better control (and no hot brakes). Overall, I didn't find it all that bad. But high clearance is a must. I turned around a guy with a low slung explorer with running boards. He would have lost them!
Chicago Transplant	Walking 08/15/2013 19:42 Traded the Xterra for an Outback last year and don't drive as high as I used to. I started just below the lower Rainbow Trail, one short rocky section freaked me out in the dark .1 mile below the TH and as it was next to a nice campsite, I decided to stop there. I probably could have gone to about 1/2 mile above the upper Rainbow though. Walking was not bad in the AM (plus I left early to climb 12671), but coming out in the PM with all the ATVs was not as fun! Yes, the Sangres are a lot of fun! Closer to me than I realize too, I need to go there more often myself!
smrcka	Dang! 08/15/2013 22:44 I was kinda hoping for a picture of the truck! Oh well...
hoosierdaddy	Great title! 08/16/2013 16:01 I just showed my hiking buddy in the office next door (he's from Appalachia), and he can't stop laughing. All you need is a basket full of chicken and a big cold jug of sweet tea.
SnowAlien	what an animal 04/02/2015 19:45 Love #19 - ”misty Eureka mtn” shot. Nice camera work.

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