San Luis Peak Trip Report 09/03/2013

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	San Luis Peak - 14,023 feet
Date Posted	09/03/2013
Date Climbed	07/08/2013
Author	HULKHIKEGOOD

Summer Bro session part 1
Prelude: This summer was my second in the mountains. Last Summer my buddy Aaron took me to climb Handies, Redcloud/Sunshine, and Sherman. I was absolutely addicted to 14ers and all of the beauty that Colorado had to offer. Earlier this summer in June, I took my wife and kids to the South Mineral campground near Silverton and did some fun day hikes in the Ice Lake Basin. A trip report for that will be coming soon.....Hopefully! But for now I will cover the week my Bro and I spent in Colorado. First, a little background info: AO (Aaron)- Gym owner (CrossFit 405), Appalachian Trail thru hike Finisher(2008), Outdoor enthusiast, overall ruggedly handsome fellow! Me (The Hulk) - Naval Aircrewman, Devoted Father and Husband, Iron Addict, Swayze fan, Thrill seeker, Lover of Bacon. AO (left) and I (right) Chapter 1- Getting the F#k out of Oklahoma! If you have ever been to Oklahoma, you know there is really nothing to boost about topo wise. Granted the Wichita mountains in the southwest corner of the state have some fun and not too difficult hiking, but you can only climb a bump so many times before it loses its appeal. So a trip was well over due. I had been stagnant on shore duty for far too long and Aaron had been dealing with the stress of a move to a new gym location, a move into a new house, running CrossFit competitions and the May 20th tornado that literally just missed his new house. So with all that being said the time had come to get the hell out of there for a while and try to find some sanity in the mountains. We set out the morning of July 7th to what looked like fantastic weather and a strong hope of all the bullsht behind us. We made our first stop in Tyler, TX, where we would soon find that the black cloud that is or life would be still nipping at our heels. I forget which gas station it was, or the situation, all I remember is being stoked of relieving myself of the morning coffee and grabbing a redbull and green machine getting ready for the still long journey ahead to Alamosa. But my good feelings would soon be silenced by a loud crash and my spine almost exiting my butthole. AO had mistakenly backed into a (what seemed to be out of place) pole. At this point I was sure we had hit a car full of orphans and I would be spending the rest of my life in a Texas state pen. But we got out and assessed the damage and determined it was minor enough to carry on with our mission. The rest of the drive was actually pretty fun, swapping stories, dreams, and delusions of grandeur all to the best rock the 90's had to offer (better then ezra, soundtrack to my life). We passed the Capulin Volcano in northeastern New Mexico and it was engulfed in a thunderstorm, wish I would have got a picture because it was pretty awesome! We passed through Raton and Trinidad before we made our turn west into the state. We arrived in Alamosa around 6pm, ate some Chili's, and then hit the sack. Chapter 2: san Luis Peak, July 8th 2013. Headed up the standard route, weather building We woke up around 5am and got or stuff together and hoped in the car. I assumed the role of navigator, which would be a terrible choice, and we cruised our way toward Saguache were we would make our turn on the 114 to the Stewart Creek Trailhead. Here is where I messed up a bit. I had Aaron take a left onto some random road into the Gunnison National Forrest, instead of the 17gg road that was just up the way, and basically all our problems later on would stem from this mistake, which Aaron took rather well (though I still think he was kinda pissed at me). So instead of arriving at the TH at 0730, we ended up getting there around 0900. The 15gg road is aggressively long, if you don't believe me, drive it! Once at the TH we quickly made our last preparations to our gear and we headed off. There were only 2 other cars at the TH and we would see their occupants hiking out within the first 30 minutes of our hike, which meant we would have the entire area to ourselves... and we did! I learned a good lesson on this hike, Class 1 doesn't mean easy! The hike in is looooong! And coming from Oklahoma just 24 hours prior, it hurt! But we toughed it out and made it to tree line in relatively good time. Then the weather started to build over San Luis and Baldy Alto. At this point it was decision time. I was 50/50 on a go/no go (or so I played off, it was more 20 go/80 no). But I left the call to my more experienced partner whom I have the utmost trust in. He decided we proceed to the saddle and reassess the situation, and so we slogged on toward the Baldy Alto San Luis saddle. This turned out to be the call of the day! We got to the saddle and saw nothing but blue sky behind the single system that was moving through. At the saddle, weather threat diminishing This rejuvenated my body and spirit and I was ready to get my 5th 14er over and done with. Aaron headed up the trail from the saddle, at this point the trail turns to rock Looking back down Stewart Creek Once you get to the final Summit ridge you are blessed with stellar views all around, and the weather just seemed to be getting better! View of Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn Great views!!! AO headed up the last pitch Enjoying the break in the weather Final push to the top! We made the final push to the summit which I topped out on first with AO not too far behind. AO topping out, and there was much rejoicing!!! Summit marker And as was expected we had the summit all to ourselves, a rare treat which I can only accredit to the remoteness of this peak and the threat of weather earlier in the day. The HULK gets number 5!!! Mando Hulk shot! Summit views Summit views After about 45 minutes on the summit, we headed down the trail and the long hike back to the TH. We got back to the car and decided to camp in the area and leave the drive to Lake City and Uncompahgre for the next day. We ended up staying at the Luders Creek campground. It is a very nice place with a $5 a night fee and a vaulted toilet. Did not see any water sources around but I did not look to hard. Overall day one ended up being a success!!! Look for part 2 coming soon. Our site at the Luders Creek campground The infamous bacon thief of the Luders Creek campground Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Summer Bro session part 1

Prelude:

This summer was my second in the mountains. Last Summer my buddy Aaron took me to climb Handies, Redcloud/Sunshine, and Sherman. I was absolutely addicted to 14ers and all of the beauty that Colorado had to offer. Earlier this summer in June, I took my wife and kids to the South Mineral campground near Silverton and did some fun day hikes in the Ice Lake Basin. A trip report for that will be coming soon.....Hopefully! But for now I will cover the week my Bro and I spent in Colorado.
First, a little background info:
AO (Aaron)- Gym owner (CrossFit 405), Appalachian Trail thru hike Finisher(2008), Outdoor enthusiast, overall ruggedly handsome fellow!
Me (The Hulk) - Naval Aircrewman, Devoted Father and Husband, Iron Addict, Swayze fan, Thrill seeker, Lover of Bacon.

Chapter 1- Getting the F*#k out of Oklahoma!
If you have ever been to Oklahoma, you know there is really nothing to boost about topo wise. Granted the Wichita mountains in the southwest corner of the state have some fun and not too difficult hiking, but you can only climb a bump so many times before it loses its appeal. So a trip was well over due.
I had been stagnant on shore duty for far too long and Aaron had been dealing with the stress of a move to a new gym location, a move into a new house, running CrossFit competitions and the May 20th tornado that literally just missed his new house. So with all that being said the time had come to get the hell out of there for a while and try to find some sanity in the mountains.
We set out the morning of July 7th to what looked like fantastic weather and a strong hope of all the bullsh*t behind us. We made our first stop in Tyler, TX, where we would soon find that the black cloud that is or life would be still nipping at our heels. I forget which gas station it was, or the situation, all I remember is being stoked of relieving myself of the morning coffee and grabbing a redbull and green machine getting ready for the still long journey ahead to Alamosa. But my good feelings would soon be silenced by a loud crash and my spine almost exiting my butthole. AO had mistakenly backed into a (what seemed to be out of place) pole. At this point I was sure we had hit a car full of orphans and I would be spending the rest of my life in a Texas state pen. But we got out and assessed the damage and determined it was minor enough to carry on with our mission. The rest of the drive was actually pretty fun, swapping stories, dreams, and delusions of grandeur all to the best rock the 90's had to offer (better then ezra, soundtrack to my life). We passed the Capulin Volcano in northeastern New Mexico and it was engulfed in a thunderstorm, wish I would have got a picture because it was pretty awesome! We passed through Raton and Trinidad before we made our turn west into the state. We arrived in Alamosa around 6pm, ate some Chili's, and then hit the sack.
Chapter 2: san Luis Peak, July 8th 2013.

Headed up the standard route, weather building

We woke up around 5am and got or stuff together and hoped in the car. I assumed the role of navigator, which would be a terrible choice, and we cruised our way toward Saguache were we would make our turn on the 114 to the Stewart Creek Trailhead. Here is where I messed up a bit. I had Aaron take a left onto some random road into the Gunnison National Forrest, instead of the 17gg road that was just up the way, and basically all our problems later on would stem from this mistake, which Aaron took rather well (though I still think he was kinda pissed at me). So instead of arriving at the TH at 0730, we ended up getting there around 0900. The 15gg road is aggressively long, if you don't believe me, drive it!
Once at the TH we quickly made our last preparations to our gear and we headed off. There were only 2 other cars at the TH and we would see their occupants hiking out within the first 30 minutes of our hike, which meant we would have the entire area to ourselves... and we did!
I learned a good lesson on this hike, Class 1 doesn't mean easy! The hike in is looooong! And coming from Oklahoma just 24 hours prior, it hurt! But we toughed it out and made it to tree line in relatively good time. Then the weather started to build over San Luis and Baldy Alto. At this point it was decision time. I was 50/50 on a go/no go (or so I played off, it was more 20 go/80 no). But I left the call to my more experienced partner whom I have the utmost trust in. He decided we proceed to the saddle and reassess the situation, and so we slogged on toward the Baldy Alto San Luis saddle. This turned out to be the call of the day! We got to the saddle and saw nothing but blue sky behind the single system that was moving through.

At the saddle, weather threat diminishing

This rejuvenated my body and spirit and I was ready to get my 5th 14er over and done with.

Aaron headed up the trail from the saddle, at this point the trail turns to rock

Once you get to the final Summit ridge you are blessed with stellar views all around, and the weather just seemed to be getting better!

We made the final push to the summit which I topped out on first with AO not too far behind.

AO topping out, and there was much rejoicing!!!

And as was expected we had the summit all to ourselves, a rare treat which I can only accredit to the remoteness of this peak and the threat of weather earlier in the day.

After about 45 minutes on the summit, we headed down the trail and the long hike back to the TH. We got back to the car and decided to camp in the area and leave the drive to Lake City and Uncompahgre for the next day. We ended up staying at the Luders Creek campground. It is a very nice place with a $5 a night fee and a vaulted toilet. Did not see any water sources around but I did not look to hard. Overall day one ended up being a success!!! Look for part 2 coming soon.

The infamous bacon thief of the Luders Creek campground

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Jay521	14ers ARE an addiction... 9/3/2013 4:38pm And as I've said before, I think there is a 58-step cure but I'm honestly not sure it works. Congrats on your climb!
d_baker	That Chipmunk 9/4/2013 1:59am looks like he's enjoyed bacon before. Nice job coming from OK! I'll watch for the part II.
scottaskinger	The HULK 6/18/2014 3:44am I love that you carried a Hulk figurine to the top! Worth it for the picture.

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