Babcock Peak Trip Report 08/20/2023

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Babcock Peak - 13,161 feet
Date Posted	08/20/2023
Date Climbed	08/05/2023
Author	Mtnman200
Additional Members	RandyMack

Don*t Quit Your Daydream
After reading the excellent trip report by Mike (Chicago Transplant) Rodenak, I've been dreaming of visiting Babcock Peak. On the descent from Babcock's summit, Mike identified what he thought would be a better ascent route. My goal with this trip report is to update Mike's trip report to include current road conditions and Mike's suggested ascent/descent route. Friday, August 4, 2023. Randy and I left Colorado Springs at 12:30 PM MDT and drove via Walsenburg, Alamosa, and Durango to Hesperus, where we headed north on the paved County Road 124 for four miles. Another four miles of gravel road suitable for passenger cars brought us to La Plata City campground (primitive). When we arrived at 6:40 PM, all but two of the nine sites were taken. Someone claimed the final campsite at 7:15 PM, so keep that in mind if you arrive on a Friday. Saturday, August 5, 2023. We drove about 3/4 mile to the Boren Creek road. Having read the description of a narrow road with sharp rocks, limited pullouts, and a downed tree across the road, we chose to park and hike the road. However, we discovered that the downed tree is gone, the rocks were less sharp than expected, and we could have driven to the 8th switchback on the road (about 10,800'). Above the 8th switchback, the road was blocked by large rocks that had come down the hill. Don't drive past this switchback unless you want to back down the road. Randy and I continued hiking up the road to about 11,200' and then headed north toward Babcock Peak. Looking back along the Boren Creek road from where we left the road and headed north toward Babcock Peak Looking down the valley from the same location as the previous photo The low point on the skyline is the gully between the true summit and the sharkstooth as seen from the same location as the previous two photos As we got closer to Babcock Peak, we continued to aim for the gully between the true summit and the sharkstooth The green arrow in this photo from Mike's trip report makes it clear which gulley you want to ascend: (i.e., the one with the most sky visible) Partway up the gulley, there are plenty of rocks As you get higher in the gulley, look for this ramp to your left. At the top of the ramp, turn right and pick one of several ways to the ridge If you follow the path of least resistance, you should be able to keep the ascent to Class 3. Pay attention to your route so you can find the top of the ramp on your descent. Climbing toward Babcock's east ridge after reaching the top of the ramp Once on the ridge, it's a fun scramble to Babcock's summit The previous signature in the summit register was on 7/10/2023; Hesperus Mtn. is in the background Looking north from Babcock's summit toward Hesperus Mtn., Lavender Peak, and Mt. Moss Another view from the summit (photo by Randy Mack) Another view from the summit (photo by Randy Mack) Another view from the summit (photo by Randy Mack) Randy and I spent about 45 minutes enjoying the views from Babcock's summit before heading down. We had no trouble returning via our ascent route. This was a very fun climb and is high on my "repeat" list. Thanks to Mike for the valuable beta, and I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your photo. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Don*t Quit Your Daydream

After reading the excellent trip report by Mike (Chicago Transplant) Rodenak, I've been dreaming of visiting Babcock Peak. On the descent from Babcock's summit, Mike identified what he thought would be a better ascent route. My goal with this trip report is to update Mike's trip report to include current road conditions and Mike's suggested ascent/descent route.

Friday, August 4, 2023. Randy and I left Colorado Springs at 12:30 PM MDT and drove via Walsenburg, Alamosa, and Durango to Hesperus, where we headed north on the paved County Road 124 for four miles. Another four miles of gravel road suitable for passenger cars brought us to La Plata City campground (primitive). When we arrived at 6:40 PM, all but two of the nine sites were taken. Someone claimed the final campsite at 7:15 PM, so keep that in mind if you arrive on a Friday.

Saturday, August 5, 2023. We drove about 3/4 mile to the Boren Creek road. Having read the description of a narrow road with sharp rocks, limited pullouts, and a downed tree across the road, we chose to park and hike the road. However, we discovered that the downed tree is gone, the rocks were less sharp than expected, and we could have driven to the 8th switchback on the road (about 10,800'). Above the 8th switchback, the road was blocked by large rocks that had come down the hill. Don't drive past this switchback unless you want to back down the road.

Randy and I continued hiking up the road to about 11,200' and then headed north toward Babcock Peak.

22235_02 — Looking back along the Boren Creek road from where we left the road and headed north toward Babcock Peak

22235_03 — Looking down the valley from the same location as the previous photo

22235_01 — The low point on the skyline is the gully between the true summit and the sharkstooth as seen from the same location as the previous two photos

22235_04 — As we got closer to Babcock Peak, we continued to aim for the gully between the true summit and the sharkstooth

22235_05 — The green arrow in this photo from Mike's trip report makes it clear which gulley you want to ascend: (i.e., the one with the most sky visible)

22235_06 — Partway up the gulley, there are plenty of rocks

22235_08 — As you get higher in the gulley, look for this ramp to your left. At the top of the ramp, turn right and pick one of several ways to the ridge

If you follow the path of least resistance, you should be able to keep the ascent to Class 3. Pay attention to your route so you can find the top of the ramp on your descent.

22235_09 — Climbing toward Babcock's east ridge after reaching the top of the ramp

22235_10 — Once on the ridge, it's a fun scramble to Babcock's summit

22235_11 — The previous signature in the summit register was on 7/10/2023; Hesperus Mtn. is in the background

22235_12 — Looking north from Babcock's summit toward Hesperus Mtn., Lavender Peak, and Mt. Moss

22235_13 — Another view from the summit (photo by Randy Mack)

22235_14 — Another view from the summit (photo by Randy Mack)

22235_15 — Another view from the summit (photo by Randy Mack)

Randy and I spent about 45 minutes enjoying the views from Babcock's summit before heading down. We had no trouble returning via our ascent route. This was a very fun climb and is high on my "repeat" list. Thanks to Mike for the valuable beta, and I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your photo.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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