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From Stories Behind the Summits: "The most popular theory is that Handies is named after an early pioneer, mountaineer or surveyor who may have lived in the Lake City area during the mid-19th century." Apparently, the peak was named by 1874.
See my Trailhead Report for my experience on the road to American Basin in our Nissan 4WD pickup.
Left Lower TH: 7:15 AM
Summited: 11:20 AM
Left Summit: 11:55 AM
Back to Pickup: 2:40 PM
I shared this hike with my friend, Dawn. This was her 4th, and my 17th 14er. I am a Colorado native, and hike a lot on local trails at my home elevation of about 5,500'-6,000', but when I tackle 13ers and 14ers I always feel as though I sit around all year, then suddenly decide to climb a mountain. It was easier several years ago, so I'm sure aging has something to do with the sense of fatigue that I suffer on ascents.
Don't be fooled by the "Class 1" rating. There are a couple of stretches on this trail that require a little touch of class 2 maneuvering. There's no scrambling, if you are hoping for that. It's pretty basic, with some rickety talus that requires ankle integrity, steps to stretch our legs, and slick gravel to challenge coordination coming down. I used trekking poles to remain upright. The steepness and switchbacks are not extraordinary in comparison with other peaks.
It's the prettiest 14er I have done, on a beautiful day. We saw many others on the trail heading up to the peak too. The trail was lined with gorgeous flowers. My compliments to the Gardener.
I captioned my photographs.
Early view on the hike up Handies Peak.One of a few little, simple creek crossings.Sloan Lake with a tent. There is snow in spots, but none on the trail.Sloan Lake seen from higher on the trail.Hikers ahead of us almost to the summit.The remains of a geological survey marker.Peak Finder app named a few neighboring 14ers: Wetterhorn Peak, Uncompahgre Peak, and Snowmass Mountain.Fellow partiers who celebrated their summit.My summit photo (I always take my signs home)The two of us on the summit!Dawn resting on the descent, with Sloan Lake in view.Back to the start, another hiker snapped our photo.A good sight!
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