Mt. Antero Trip Report 07/14/2018

Peak(s):	Mt. Antero - 14,271 feet
Date Posted:	07/14/2018
Date Climbed:	07/07/2018
Author:	Tnesper

Antero via Raspberry Gulch - Don't... Just, Don't.
There are some really great trip reports that describe this route up Antero, so I won't repeat their information here. https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=17959 https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=12884 https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=10173 https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=17029 https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=2463 The reason I'm writing is because...well... this route is awful. After hiking Castle and Conundrum from the creek crossing last year, I had been dreading Antero. While I appreciate that there are 14ers Jeeps can enjoy and wouldn't ask for it to be changed, it does detract from the experience of part of the hike for those on foot. Stopping to let Jeeps pass, the noise, etc. So when the time for Antero came, I wanted to find an alternative. I chose Raspberry Gulch over Browns simply because of the distance. I downloaded the GPS file that is linked to in the first trip report above, and my friends and I went on our way. The hike starts out simple enough along a trail before taking a sharp left turn into the trees. As the above trip reports state, here is where you have a steep climb to the ridge. Although it's steep and challenging, it's not overly difficult. But once you leave the treeline, you will then spend approximately 2.5 miles, one way, on talus. It's loose, jagged, and awful. I had completed Pyramid Peak the week before, and this route whooped me far more than Pyramid did. It's not overly steep or difficult once you get out of the trees, but spending 5 round trip miles on talus, somewhat loose, is not great for the feet, knees, or lower back. We've all had the luxury of enjoying the Sawatch's talus, but I don't recall any other routes coming close to this in terms of quantity, sharp edges, and looseness of the talus. So I would advise individuals to exercise caution on how much you really want to skip that Jeep road. In hindsight, I would have parked at Baldwin Creek to grab the 3,000 vert and taken the Jeep road on foot. Perhaps this is a grass is always greener situation since I haven't actually done the Jeep road, but hey... it's my experience, hopefully it helps.

Antero via Raspberry Gulch - Don't... Just, Don't.

There are some really great trip reports that describe this route up Antero, so I won't repeat their information here.

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=17959
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=12884
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=10173
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=17029
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=2463

The reason I'm writing is because...well... this route is awful.

After hiking Castle and Conundrum from the creek crossing last year, I had been dreading Antero. While I appreciate that there are 14ers Jeeps can enjoy and wouldn't ask for it to be changed, it does detract from the experience of part of the hike for those on foot. Stopping to let Jeeps pass, the noise, etc. So when the time for Antero came, I wanted to find an alternative. I chose Raspberry Gulch over Browns simply because of the distance. I downloaded the GPS file that is linked to in the first trip report above, and my friends and I went on our way.

The hike starts out simple enough along a trail before taking a sharp left turn into the trees. As the above trip reports state, here is where you have a steep climb to the ridge. Although it's steep and challenging, it's not overly difficult. But once you leave the treeline, you will then spend approximately 2.5 miles, one way, on talus. It's loose, jagged, and awful. I had completed Pyramid Peak the week before, and this route whooped me far more than Pyramid did. It's not overly steep or difficult once you get out of the trees, but spending 5 round trip miles on talus, somewhat loose, is not great for the feet, knees, or lower back. We've all had the luxury of enjoying the Sawatch's talus, but I don't recall any other routes coming close to this in terms of quantity, sharp edges, and looseness of the talus.

So I would advise individuals to exercise caution on how much you really want to skip that Jeep road. In hindsight, I would have parked at Baldwin Creek to grab the 3,000 vert and taken the Jeep road on foot. Perhaps this is a grass is always greener situation since I haven't actually done the Jeep road, but hey... it's my experience, hopefully it helps.

Comments or Questions

boudreaux	Do the road! 07/15/2018 07:47 I've done the road twice and it's not that bad. Yep, a few jeeps drove by, but there is plenty of room. No one is gonna run over you unless you do it at night. Jeepers are nice and courteous most of the time, unless you need a ride, then they drive by. The real punisher is doing it by bike.
rperth	Road 07/15/2018 16:33 Did Antero today via the road. Long day as I parked at the 2wd road. Saw only 2 vehicles on the way up but coming down I lost count how many times I had to get out of the way. Kinda annoying. But not too big a deal. Talked with someone on the summit who did the same route you did. He thought it was fine. I asked about the talus he said he didnÃ¢‚¬„¢t think it was too bad. His opinions. Antero done. Check! And bagged.

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