Mt. Meeker Trip Report 10/09/2022

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Mt. Meeker - 13,916 feet
Date Posted	10/09/2022
Modified	10/10/2022
Date Climbed	10/09/2022
Author	SpringsDuke

#3 Centennial - Mt. Meeker
#3 Centennial - Mt Meeker. Always fun when you can drive the sports car to the trailhead alone at night! Early morning from the Sand Beach Lake Trailhead Crossing the first bridge Dont cross the second bridge but instead stay right here and follow Hunters Creek for the nice bushwhack! The Hunters Creek Trail goes smoothly to Lyric Falls here. After that its in and out but stays very close to Hunters Creek nearly the entire time. If Hunters Creek has a large boulder then the bushwhack trail goes to the right but will always soon cut back to the Creek. Takes about 45 minutes but soon you enter Meeker Meadows from Hunters Creek. A look back at Hunters Creek. You can see the two mountains in the background to get an idea of where to go on the return trip back. A few cairns here and there like this one but again keeping an eye on the mountains in the background is best to be sure you get back to the Hunters Creek bushwhack trail. Back up Mt Meeker. From here to the summit it stays steep and loose in spots. Looking back at Hunters Creek you can also see the yellow Aspens to help get you back on the return. Dragons Egg Rock ahead. Its steep and slow going here. Felt like I was moving for 30 seconds then 15 second break the entire time. Looking back down once I saw Sand Beach Lake for the first time. Up and to the left of the large rock cropping ahead. Felt like I was looking at this rock forever just waiting till I finally passed it after an hour or more. The rock on the front I was calling Easter Island Head Rock and it was always there every time I looked up. Easter Island Head Rock getting closer. Finally passing it! Now it gets more my style! Larger rocks. Good handholds nothing to loose. Gaining the ridge is much more enjoyable than the boulder field below. This rock is where you enter and exit the ridge to get back down. Going back up Meeker. Fun sections on the ridge direct up to Meeker. Made the summit from the ridge much quicker than expected. Less than an hour for a total time of 5 hours from trail head. Not sure which rocks where higher so went on top of both rock piles up on the summit. I think the first one in the last photo is the summit though. They are more comfortable to rest on that's for sure! Summit Views Longs Peak from Mt Meeker Sand Beach Lake from Mt Meeker Ravens were buzzing me on the summit and sometimes on the ridge up and down for some reason. They got pretty close and fast at times. Not sure why? They did make lots of funny noises besides the normal craw they also click, chirp, burp, and have a plethora of sounds I never knew they made. Heading back down and staying on the ridge proper all the way again. Looking back up at the summit Down climbing the ridge. Looking back up at Meeker before it goes out of view. There is the rocks to signal its time to turn left and go down the steep and loose boulder field. Easter Island Head Rock again! This time I don't have to stare at it for 2 hours I simply pass it and am gone! The only other climber all day on this route besides myself. Heading down to the yellow aspen patch below to find Hunters Creek bushwhack trail. Here is a lesson learned. You know tight ropers usually fall at the end of a tightrope not in the middle like you think they would. Its cause they think they have made it and stop paying full focus at the end of the rope. Well I did the same today. Right at the bottom of the steep boulder field I flaked for one seconds and a rock fell out from under me sending me backwards like a cartoon character slipping on a banana peel. My back hit a rock so hard my water bladder blew up like a water balloon soaking me, my bag, and only leaving me a half litter left. Good thing I also carry a Gatorade as well. BUT this could have been much worse I realize that. If I hit the back of my head on the rock I could have easily been knocked out alone on the mountain. Thank goodness all that happened was my left arm looks like its been in a motorcycle accident and the water bladder saved my back from any damage whatsoever. I was able to get up right away brush it off and leave but I wont forget that mistake geez. Back to Hunters Creek. Soaking wet pants from the exploded water bladder and smelling like blood, beef jerky, and chocolate I hope there are no bears around that want to say Hi since I smell so delicious! Nice fall colors but a bad hike out cause of the tumble I took bruising my arm and ego. Also my feet were blistering and killing me. It took me 5 hours up and 4 hours down I had to go so slow towards the end. Remember to pay full attention at all times and don't worry about trying to make fast times just worry about safety and having an enjoyable day. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

#3 Centennial - Mt. Meeker

21955_48 — #3 Centennial - Mt Meeker.

Always fun when you can drive the sports car to the trailhead alone at night!

21955_47 — Early morning from the Sand Beach Lake Trailhead

21955_45 — Dont cross the second bridge but instead stay right here and follow Hunters Creek for the nice bushwhack!

21955_44 — The Hunters Creek Trail goes smoothly to Lyric Falls here.

21955_43 — After that its in and out but stays very close to Hunters Creek nearly the entire time. If Hunters Creek has a large boulder then the bushwhack trail goes to the right but will always soon cut back to the Creek.

21955_42 — Takes about 45 minutes but soon you enter Meeker Meadows from Hunters Creek.

21955_41 — A look back at Hunters Creek. You can see the two mountains in the background to get an idea of where to go on the return trip back.

21955_40 — A few cairns here and there like this one but again keeping an eye on the mountains in the background is best to be sure you get back to the Hunters Creek bushwhack trail.

21955_39 — Back up Mt Meeker. From here to the summit it stays steep and loose in spots.

21955_38 — Looking back at Hunters Creek you can also see the yellow Aspens to help get you back on the return.

21955_37 — Dragons Egg Rock ahead. Its steep and slow going here. Felt like I was moving for 30 seconds then 15 second break the entire time.

21955_36 — Looking back down once I saw Sand Beach Lake for the first time.

21955_35 — Up and to the left of the large rock cropping ahead. Felt like I was looking at this rock forever just waiting till I finally passed it after an hour or more. The rock on the front I was calling Easter Island Head Rock and it was always there every time I looked up.

21955_34 — Easter Island Head Rock getting closer.

21955_32 — Now it gets more my style! Larger rocks. Good handholds nothing to loose.

21955_31 — Gaining the ridge is much more enjoyable than the boulder field below.

21955_30 — This rock is where you enter and exit the ridge to get back down.

21955_28 — Fun sections on the ridge direct up to Meeker.

21955_25 — Made the summit from the ridge much quicker than expected. Less than an hour for a total time of 5 hours from trail head.

21955_24 — Not sure which rocks where higher so went on top of both rock piles up on the summit. I think the first one in the last photo is the summit though. They are more comfortable to rest on that's for sure!

21955_17 — Sand Beach Lake from Mt Meeker

21955_15 — Ravens were buzzing me on the summit and sometimes on the ridge up and down for some reason. They got pretty close and fast at times. Not sure why? They did make lots of funny noises besides the normal craw they also click, chirp, burp, and have a plethora of sounds I never knew they made.

21955_16 — Heading back down and staying on the ridge proper all the way again.

21955_14 — Looking back up at the summit

21955_12 — Looking back up at Meeker before it goes out of view.

21955_10 — There is the rocks to signal its time to turn left and go down the steep and loose boulder field.

21955_09 — Easter Island Head Rock again! This time I don't have to stare at it for 2 hours I simply pass it and am gone!

21955_08 — The only other climber all day on this route besides myself.

21955_07 — Heading down to the yellow aspen patch below to find Hunters Creek bushwhack trail.

21955_05 — Here is a lesson learned. You know tight ropers usually fall at the end of a tightrope not in the middle like you think they would. Its cause they think they have made it and stop paying full focus at the end of the rope. Well I did the same today. Right at the bottom of the steep boulder field I flaked for one seconds and a rock fell out from under me sending me backwards like a cartoon character slipping on a banana peel. My back hit a rock so hard my water bladder blew up like a water balloon soaking me, my bag, and only leaving me a half litter left. Good thing I also carry a Gatorade as well. BUT this could have been much worse I realize that. If I hit the back of my head on the rock I could have easily been knocked out alone on the mountain. Thank goodness all that happened was my left arm looks like its been in a motorcycle accident and the water bladder saved my back from any damage whatsoever. I was able to get up right away brush it off and leave but I wont forget that mistake geez.

21955_04 — Back to Hunters Creek. Soaking wet pants from the exploded water bladder and smelling like blood, beef jerky, and chocolate I hope there are no bears around that want to say Hi since I smell so delicious!

21955_03 — Nice fall colors but a bad hike out cause of the tumble I took bruising my arm and ego. Also my feet were blistering and killing me. It took me 5 hours up and 4 hours down I had to go so slow towards the end. Remember to pay full attention at all times and don't worry about trying to make fast times just worry about safety and having an enjoyable day.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

mathguy	Nice report. 10/10/2022 8:04am Nice photos too and lots of useful beta for anyone contemplating doing Meeker via Hunter's creek.
Jay521	Another vote for nice report. 10/10/2022 11:55am And you are certainly faster than I am - although maybe that's not saying all that much :-) Took me 6 1/2 hours to reach the summit taking the same route you did. I was pretty beat after that one. And that section going up and down the loose stuff was the WORST! Might be easier in the winter? Again - thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.

Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App