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Peak(s):  San Luis Peak  -  14,023 feet
Date Posted:  11/05/2016
Date Climbed:   10/28/2016
Author:  mcklarry
 San Luis Northeast Ridge: Dark Fall   

San Luis Peak Northeast ridge Write up
Date climbed: 10/28/2016
Partner: Paul Kohli 60, me 54
Stayed Quality Inn Gunnison: Arrived 9:00 pm
Time from Gunnison to Trailhead: 2 hours with dry roads
Left hotel at 3:30 am
Trail head: 5:30, cold, wore mittens, stocking cap, and layers
Top: 10:15 chilly, not bad, grey light day, stayed on top 45 minutes
Bottom: 2:30 pm

The weather has been so dry lately, I thought about doing San Luis Peak but needed a partner. Years ago Paul and I were on a couple of different hikes together with a group of fellows (Huron Peak, Quandary, and Gray's Torres. I talked to Paul and he said he was interested. So we made plans to hike the peak.

The standard route is longer, but the road getting there is easier, and in case last minute storm, we decided to do the longer standard route. I picked up Paul after he got off work on Thursday, and we drove to Gunnison arriving at 9:00 pm. We got some dinner and then went to bed, wanting to get up at 3. We slept ok. I was up at 230, but waited to get Paul up until 3:10.

Distance to Stewart Creek trailhead from Gunnison: Two hours. We left at 3:30 and arrived at 5:30. The road was still clear, no snow, a little rough in places. A two wheel drive could do it, but I was glad to have the Santa Fe.

You go across two creek crossing, and in spring it may be a challenge, but with the dry conditions, there was no issue.
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One of the creek crossings


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Road with the P sign next to trailhead


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Trail head sign


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On the way back pic start of trail, to dark at 530 for picture


The Hike: The air was crisp and cool. The forecast said clouds, but no moisture. We still were a bit unsure how cold we may get. Starting out it was cold, and we had all layers on and gloves. In the dark you follow the trail and really have no sense of what is around you. You could feel you were out in the open, but in the dark hard to see much. I am amazed how in the dark your vision becomes focused to a small area in front of you. Well until you look up and see the massive amount of stars.

A you head up the valley on the well maintained trail you run into a series of small ponds.
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The valley


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Ponds


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Beaver ponds


Due to the large amount of beetle kill on the pines, there are logs that have fallen across the trail that you have to go over. Many times they have been cut, but not always. You continue to follow the creek and can hear it consistently.

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Cut logs


Key Creek Crossing: We did lose the correct trail for a few minutes. In daylight you would not miss the turn, but at night it was easy. There is a cairn to the left of the trail showing you which way to go. We added two more up closer to the actual log crossing. We also placed branches across the trail so you know which way to go. If you hit the log in the picture, stop, go back about 50 feet and turn right and cross the creek there. We bush wacked for a bit before finding the trail again.

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Do not go past this log


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New cairns for creek crossing


https://vimeo.com/user58716038/videos

The trail continues up the valley, as light dawned we could see the peaks around us and the peak you have to go across to get to San Luis. The trail goes through some willows and bushes, very easy to follow. As you head up the valley there are some switch backs, but not many. The trail at this point reminded me of the valley for Belford, but with less switchbacks then Belford. I have added some more pictures of the initial trail so all have an idea what a nice hike is in store.

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But other logs you do go over...


We headed up to the saddle as the sun was rising behind the mountains in the valley. Once there the ongoing route is easy to see cutting across the talis of the mountain in front of San Luis. The rocks are not terrible, but we needed to watch our footing a bit. Once on San Luis, the final push begin. I was not sure how much farther we had, but we were talking and enjoying the morning, where I thought we had a bit more to go, we were suddenly, and happily surprised, to be at the top.

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Valley Paul


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Trail is very well maintained


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More bushes


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The lone pine tree


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Valley view


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A little snow


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Rock on the way up


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Paul taking a break!


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Larry pointing


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Steps


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Open before the saddle


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Crossing talis


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From the saddle


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Looking back


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Lots or rock watch the footing


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Past the saddle


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Prior to final push


The gray light day let the sun in a bit. There was a little wind, enough to make it a bit chilly, but not to bad. We took pictures and sat down and had some snacks. Red seedless grapes are a favorite of mine, wet and juice to help when mouth is dry. We were able to get cell service at top and sent some texts. We stayed up top for 45 minutes and headed down.


Image #29 (not yet uploaded)



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Marker


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14ers


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Top


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Paul


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Larry


The trail down through the willows, small bushes, and beaver ponds was wonderful since we really could not see any of this in the dark. We spent the day hiking, and saw nobody on the trail. A long walk, no exposure, no issues, and a great trail to follow.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
Jay521
User
Congrats -
11/8/2016 3:31pm
On a very nice hike and a well written report!


cnlevan
User
Good report.
11/10/2016 8:58pm
Thank you for writing this report and offering so many photos. It was very helpful. May I ask if along the lower trail among the trees you noticed any spots wide and flat enough to camp? I am thinking of backpacking in a few miles and camping along the trail (in the summer) so the trip up isn't too lengthy.


majiqman
Campsites
11/27/2016 4:04pm
cnlevan,
If you are looking for a place to camp, there is a Forest Service restroom and fire rings about a quarter mile down from the Stewart Creek trailhead on County Road 14DD. This is where the Colorado Trail and the CDT come through, and is the demarcation between CT segment 19 and CT segment 20.
You can also hike up the Stewart Creek Trail about 3 miles to where you first cross over to the south side of the creek. There are fire rings and some flat spots to camp here in among the pines beside the south side of the creek.



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