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Peak: Mount Kennedy (13,125') Date: November 3, 2019 Where: Weminuche Wilderness Trailhead: (not quite) Lime Mesa (11,040') Distance: ~14 miles Elevation Gain: ~3,000' Participants: solo Time: 9 hours
It's been a long time since I've regularly written trip reports. Not sure why that is. Life moves fast! Well, here's another.
Back in 2017 I hit Endlich Mesa on 2 separate outings, but I've never quite made it over to Lime Mesa until this past weekend. I also think this might be my first successful trek into the Weminuche this late in the year, "successful" being the key word.
One note on the Lime Mesa TH. I didn't actually ever get to the Lime Mesa TH. You don't actually have to to ever get to the Lime Mesa TH. Your vehicle will thank you for not ever actually getting to the Lime Mesa TH. You don't even have to slog the last 2 miles on foot to the trailhead. Instead, lose your vehicle at about mile 24 when the road starts to eat it, walk a little further to the hairpin turn, and then begin your journey northeast from there. There's a solid trail that will eventually link you back up with the Lime Mesa trail and this method might even be shorter. Keep Reading...
Thanks for posting this. I drove out that way back in August with the idea to park at the Lime Mesa TH. Wow! This road has deteriorated in the 12 years since my last visit! I parked at the hairpin also for a hike out to the Ruby Lake overlook. You get some of best views of the San Juans from there!
Yep. A totally different view and perspective coming in from that way. Nice job. I may go check out those lakes next spring/summer and sneak in to Chicago Basin.
Hey Dillon, what is the road like up to the Lime Mesa TH, or at least to where you parked? Gorgeous shots, this time of year is gorgeous in the San Juans!
You should have no issues with the first 23 miles on missionary ridge road. Bumpy, but nothing major, with little to no snow except in some north facing sections. When you turn off missionary ridge towards Henderson Lake it's 5 miles to the real TH. This part is steeper, but still not too bad in the beginning, and some parts are snow packed hiding the rocks and holes which is helpful. 3 miles up the Henderson Lake road about a football field or 2 before the hairpin turn the road looks it may have been a stream for most of the spring and summer... mud, snow, boulders, rocks, and a huge gash. This is where I parked. I'd imagine there's probably not much snow left by now. Enjoy! Sure is!!!
Thanks Dillon! Would you say high clearance is required? We have AWD but pretty low clearance. I've always wanted to go up to that area and might be able to squeeze it in before it snows again. Let me know if you ever want a partner for peaks around Durango/San Juans, I'm based out of here through the school year.
Great report, Dillon! I was up there this past 4th of July and parked where you did. Snow was still high and I didn't risk the Rav on the creek crossing. I was planning that trip as an alternative approach to Aztec, McCauley, Grizzly, Jupiter, but my air mattress valve broke and all I got was the twelver, Overlook Point. Cool to see the area in drier conditions, and the views of the Turret Needles from there are just amazing, as you captured.
Damn, I'm slow. Sarah, i would imagine it's snowed. haha. sorry! There's one spot where you'd probably want high(er) clearance just before the turn off to Henderson where you have a slight water crossing at a 90 degree turn. Maybe! You'd probably also want it after mile 2 on the Henderson Lake road. I'm in Durango too for a few months, building a house in Salida. Keep me posted. Tax season is coming unfortunately so I must hibernate. :) Steve, thanks!! What does an air mattress valve have to do with those 13ers? haha. The views from that 12er are pretty sick. Let me know when you're going back.
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