OTHER Trip Report 10/03/2023

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Deming Mountain 12902 West Deming 12736
Date Posted	10/03/2023
Date Climbed	09/30/2023
Author	pgres

Deming Traverse (Fall Colors)
Deming Traverse (Fall Colors) Prelude: I'd been saving the Deming Traverse as a potential "rainy day" option. Gina and I had a friend come in from Washington and we wanted to keep the elevation low and keep the scrambling at a fairly low level of commitment. After a much harder day than expected on the Blue Lake Traverse (Audubon, Paiute, Toll, Pawnee, and Little Pawnee), we wanted to keep things fairly chill. As far as Gore Traverses go, it's low commitment with several bail options at multiple points along the ridge. The ridge can generally be kept at Class 2 with simple bypasses that don't require descending far from the ridge crest. There is a notable Class 4 notch, but the Class 4 scrambling in the notch is short and not highly exposed. I've heard this section described as "Class 5.1", but I really don't think the difficulty exceeded Class 4. As with most of the Gore Range, you can definitely choose to have a more exciting scrambling adventure with several 5.low options along the ridge crest, which we did (obviously). This route is set in an absolutely beautiful area of the the range with excellent views of Red Diamond Ridge, Silverthorne, East Thorne, Hail, Sleet, and Snow Peaks, in addition to the 10-Mile Range. We went for the ridge during peak fall colors and the tundra in this area was absolutely incredible. This is really a great introductory ridge for those starting in the Gore. I think I like it better than the Grand Traverse as an introductory adventure. Tons of optional scrambling that can really give you an idea of the nature of the Gore Ridgelines, fantastic views of the southern Gore peaks, Fairly chill off-trail navigation, easy bail options off the ridge, and a forgiving approach (long mileage, but super chill grade). Approach/Route: There may be additional unmarked trails that could be used to access this basin, but we used the Gore Creek Trail to access the saddle between Deming and West Deming. Follow the Gore creek Trail as though heading up to Red Buffalo Pass, but turn off at a creek crossing right around the 10,900' contour. Hike up a steep embankment to the right, which yields to lower-angle terrain that sits above the creek. Follow the lower-angle terrain until you pop out of the trees. Continue following the creek, crossing to the left side to access a gully between two land slide (rock glacier?) tongues. We accessed a gully around 11,500, but the one around 11,400' might be better. Continue up the intermittently grassy terrain to the saddle between Deming and West Deming. Follow the ridge up to Deming if you want to summit both peaks (Class 1/2) and reverse your route back to the saddle, or head straight to West Deming if you're just interested in the scrambling (Class 4). From the summit of West Deming, an unmarked trail will appear that switchbacks down into the basin below West Deming's NW Face. Continue following the low-angle ridge around to the gully and descend the switchbacks - the switchbacks are loose, but manageable. From the bottom of the switchbacks, follow a creek bed for brief period of time, splitting out to the right towards a series of small grassy lakes/tarns. This terrain would likely be very marshy in early summer, but was perfectly supportive and dry in late September! We weaved through small tarns and lakes on mostly flat terrain until we reached the largest (last) lake before the terrain begins a steeper descent back into the Gore Creek Drainage. At the last lake, do NOT follow the creek, continue to circle around the backside of the lake, accessing a broad, tree-free gully. There's a rock rib that separates the gully into a left and right side. We descended the left, following a faint trail that eventually switchbacks back over to the right at the terminus of the rock rib. Continue following the faint trail (you may loose it at times, especially lower down) to Gore Creek. The GPX track should put you pretty much right on top of the trail! We were able to cross a rocky portion of the creek without any concerns of getting our feet wet and were back on the trail a few minutes later. With good route finding, this 'off-trail' route is painless! Route Information (Gore Creek): Mileage: Approximately 15 Miles (16 Miles w/ Deming) Elevation: Approximately 4500' (5300' w/ Deming) Class: 4 Time to Complete: 9 Hours Exposure: High Rockfall: Medium Route-Finding: High Commitment: Medium Starting up the Gore Creek Trail A beautiful meadow past the junction with the Gore Lake Trail with great views of Snow, Sleet, and Hail Peaks (I Think). Beautiful fall colors - looking down on the creek bed from the lower-angle terrain higher up. Red Peak A and B in the background Gaining the saddle between Deming and West Deming Starting the optional scrambling - Deming Mountain in the background Why do the optional scrambling? I'm glad you asked - it's because the rock is solid, confidence inspiring, and fun! From here on - stay ridge proper! Or don't. Everything that looks like it goes, does. If it doesn't look like it goes, there's almost always a chill bypass to one side or another. I believe there were cairns marking the bypasses, but we ignored them in favor of more fun terrain. Spiky bois This part was fun and pretty exposed. The move on the other side of this boulder was probably the most committing of the route, but was also fun! We had to squeeze through a rock crack somewhere in here (involved taking off the backpacks). I don't remember where, you'll know it if you find it. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Around the mid point of the ridge, there's a large grassy tower that's a chill walk-up. The backside has some fun class 3/4 downclimbing. Alternatively, you can bypass the tower entirely on the left side. I believe this is marked with cairns. This photos is from the top of the tower, looking out at the remaining ridge traverse. Looking down the Gore Creek Drainage towards Vail. This is your exit basin. The gully to access the basin is the reddish/brown area in the left side of the photo. You can also see the lakes, which you'll contour around on the far side. Coming off of the mid-point tower. I believe climbing out of this notch was the only mandatory class 4 move, but I could be wrong. Hard to find the crux of the route when you don't bypass any of the fun stuff. Another photo with the Gore skyline A spiky tower somewhere in there (optional) The most exposed tower - note the very easy bypass on the right... I love those easy bypasses I love to wave at them as they pass by Looking down from the top of the tower Another view of the exposure Another small tower after the big one with some excellent scrambling opportunities Gotta love the Gore! Some snow showers moving in - after the last tower, it's a chill class 2 ridge walk to the summit headwall. You could probably keep the summit headwall at class 2 if you circled around, but the direct approach is Class 3/4- Looking down the headwall - we bypassed the cracked boulder, but you could probably crack climb down it if you really wanted some contrived scrambling. Topping out on the headwall Descent gully is front and center Pretty mountains - the last and largest of the lakes you'll circumvent is in the middle of the photo. Your descent path will take you through the area of sparse trees where the terrain will roll over into a gully. This one is a bit repetitive, but oh well Summit! Switchbacks Looking back up at the descent gully We got snowed on a little bit - honestly just added to the experience Your descent gully down into the drainage below is right on the other side of the lake... there were also some camping spots and old fire pits. At the edge of the descent gully Looking down the left branch of the bully. There's a brief Class 3 section in the boulders, but it's chill from there. The trail cuts right through the trees at the bottom into the right branch of the gully. Back on the trail! More pretty Aspens Last one! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Deming Traverse (Fall Colors)

Deming Traverse (Fall Colors)

Prelude:

I'd been saving the Deming Traverse as a potential "rainy day" option. Gina and I had a friend come in from Washington and we wanted to keep the elevation low and keep the scrambling at a fairly low level of commitment. After a much harder day than expected on the Blue Lake Traverse (Audubon, Paiute, Toll, Pawnee, and Little Pawnee), we wanted to keep things fairly chill. As far as Gore Traverses go, it's low commitment with several bail options at multiple points along the ridge. The ridge can generally be kept at Class 2 with simple bypasses that don't require descending far from the ridge crest. There is a notable Class 4 notch, but the Class 4 scrambling in the notch is short and not highly exposed. I've heard this section described as "Class 5.1", but I really don't think the difficulty exceeded Class 4. As with most of the Gore Range, you can definitely choose to have a more exciting scrambling adventure with several 5.low options along the ridge crest, which we did (obviously).

This route is set in an absolutely beautiful area of the the range with excellent views of Red Diamond Ridge, Silverthorne, East Thorne, Hail, Sleet, and Snow Peaks, in addition to the 10-Mile Range. We went for the ridge during peak fall colors and the tundra in this area was absolutely incredible. This is really a great introductory ridge for those starting in the Gore. I think I like it better than the Grand Traverse as an introductory adventure. Tons of optional scrambling that can really give you an idea of the nature of the Gore Ridgelines, fantastic views of the southern Gore peaks, Fairly chill off-trail navigation, easy bail options off the ridge, and a forgiving approach (long mileage, but super chill grade).

Approach/Route:

There may be additional unmarked trails that could be used to access this basin, but we used the Gore Creek Trail to access the saddle between Deming and West Deming. Follow the Gore creek Trail as though heading up to Red Buffalo Pass, but turn off at a creek crossing right around the 10,900' contour. Hike up a steep embankment to the right, which yields to lower-angle terrain that sits above the creek. Follow the lower-angle terrain until you pop out of the trees. Continue following the creek, crossing to the left side to access a gully between two land slide (rock glacier?) tongues. We accessed a gully around 11,500, but the one around 11,400' might be better. Continue up the intermittently grassy terrain to the saddle between Deming and West Deming. Follow the ridge up to Deming if you want to summit both peaks (Class 1/2) and reverse your route back to the saddle, or head straight to West Deming if you're just interested in the scrambling (Class 4).

From the summit of West Deming, an unmarked trail will appear that switchbacks down into the basin below West Deming's NW Face. Continue following the low-angle ridge around to the gully and descend the switchbacks - the switchbacks are loose, but manageable. From the bottom of the switchbacks, follow a creek bed for brief period of time, splitting out to the right towards a series of small grassy lakes/tarns. This terrain would likely be very marshy in early summer, but was perfectly supportive and dry in late September! We weaved through small tarns and lakes on mostly flat terrain until we reached the largest (last) lake before the terrain begins a steeper descent back into the Gore Creek Drainage. At the last lake, do NOT follow the creek, continue to circle around the backside of the lake, accessing a broad, tree-free gully. There's a rock rib that separates the gully into a left and right side. We descended the left, following a faint trail that eventually switchbacks back over to the right at the terminus of the rock rib. Continue following the faint trail (you may loose it at times, especially lower down) to Gore Creek. The GPX track should put you pretty much right on top of the trail! We were able to cross a rocky portion of the creek without any concerns of getting our feet wet and were back on the trail a few minutes later. With good route finding, this 'off-trail' route is painless!

Route Information (Gore Creek):

Mileage: Approximately 15 Miles (16 Miles w/ Deming)
Elevation: Approximately 4500' (5300' w/ Deming)
Class: 4
Time to Complete: 9 Hours

Exposure: High
Rockfall: Medium
Route-Finding: High
Commitment: Medium

22383_01 — Starting up the Gore Creek Trail

22383_02 — A beautiful meadow past the junction with the Gore Lake Trail with great views of Snow, Sleet, and Hail Peaks (I Think).

22383_04 — Beautiful fall colors - looking down on the creek bed from the lower-angle terrain higher up.

22383_05 — Red Peak A and B in the background

22383_06 — Gaining the saddle between Deming and West Deming

22383_08 — Starting the optional scrambling - Deming Mountain in the background

22383_09 — Why do the optional scrambling? I'm glad you asked - it's because the rock is solid, confidence inspiring, and fun!

22383_10 — From here on - stay ridge proper! Or don't. Everything that looks like it goes, does. If it doesn't look like it goes, there's almost always a chill bypass to one side or another. I believe there were cairns marking the bypasses, but we ignored them in favor of more fun terrain.

22383_12 — This part was fun and pretty exposed. The move on the other side of this boulder was probably the most committing of the route, but was also fun!

22383_13 — We had to squeeze through a rock crack somewhere in here (involved taking off the backpacks). I don't remember where, you'll know it if you find it.

22383_15 — Around the mid point of the ridge, there's a large grassy tower that's a chill walk-up. The backside has some fun class 3/4 downclimbing. Alternatively, you can bypass the tower entirely on the left side. I believe this is marked with cairns. This photos is from the top of the tower, looking out at the remaining ridge traverse.

22383_16 — Looking down the Gore Creek Drainage towards Vail. This is your exit basin. The gully to access the basin is the reddish/brown area in the left side of the photo. You can also see the lakes, which you'll contour around on the far side.

22383_17 — Coming off of the mid-point tower.

22383_18 — I believe climbing out of this notch was the only mandatory class 4 move, but I could be wrong. Hard to find the crux of the route when you don't bypass any of the fun stuff.

22383_19 — Another photo with the Gore skyline

22383_20 — A spiky tower somewhere in there (optional)

22383_22 — The most exposed tower - note the very easy bypass on the right... I love those easy bypasses

22383_21 — I love to wave at them as they pass by

22383_23 — Looking down from the top of the tower

22383_25 — Another small tower after the big one with some excellent scrambling opportunities

22383_27 — Some snow showers moving in - after the last tower, it's a chill class 2 ridge walk to the summit headwall. You could probably keep the summit headwall at class 2 if you circled around, but the direct approach is Class 3/4-

22383_28 — Looking down the headwall - we bypassed the cracked boulder, but you could probably crack climb down it if you really wanted some contrived scrambling.

22383_31 — Descent gully is front and center

22383_32 — Pretty mountains - the last and largest of the lakes you'll circumvent is in the middle of the photo. Your descent path will take you through the area of sparse trees where the terrain will roll over into a gully.

22383_33 — This one is a bit repetitive, but oh well

22383_36 — Looking back up at the descent gully

22383_38 — We got snowed on a little bit - honestly just added to the experience

22383_37 — Your descent gully down into the drainage below is right on the other side of the lake... there were also some camping spots and old fire pits.

22383_39 — At the edge of the descent gully

22383_40 — Looking down the left branch of the bully. There's a brief Class 3 section in the boulders, but it's chill from there. The trail cuts right through the trees at the bottom into the right branch of the gully.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Marmot72	looks fun! 10/4/2023 9:02pm I had no idea there was a scramble on those; Ormes doesn't mention it in his typical 1-2 sentences. Some great photos!
pgres	@Marmot72 10/11/2023 12:10pm Yep! Short, sweet, and mostly optional, but it's there :)

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