Old Baldy (13034) and S Arapaho Peak(13408)-July 2 2025

In Columbine Heaven

Arapaho Peaks shape the skyline(pic1) as a constant sight during my neighborhood bicycle travels. I am thankful my porch door opens to the front range views of the mountains. While I was bicycling around the Rocky Flats National Refuge(pic2) I saw that the snow was clearing from its peaks. To my surprise they were only 1½ hours drive away. A bluebird sky forecast on July 2 was the opportunity to Wondervu via Coal Creek Canyon. Welcomed by a view of mountain peaks, from there I headed into Nederland, blew a kiss to the Carousel of Happiness(pic3) and turned L onto CR130. When the road surface became dirt, it became Eldorado Avenue which turned R to the 4^th of July Trailhead. This was a high clearance vehicle road and at 530AM, I got one of the last parking spaces(pic4) across from the start of the hike.

While I was lacing up my boots, lots of hikers were going up the steps(pic5). Curiously I read the storyboards(pic6) because the TH(10160) got its name from the 4^th of July mine 2miles up the trail which was claimed on the 4^th of July 1872. The second sign was about the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. Because many native American tribes lived, camped and traveled these rich hunting lands, American botanist Ellsworth Bethel in the 1900s named the area Indian Peaks to include all the tribal named mountains.

The hike began at the wooden sign(pic7) directing to a wide well traveled dirt trail(pic8). Along the alternating Class1 and 2 terrain, there were a lot of dirt trails to choose but following the worn route and other hikers, my strategy was not get lost turning down a social trail. A couple trail sections were easy to find as they were elevated boards(pic9). Moving forward and gradually upward, the trail definitely became Class 2(pic9). After the first mile, I barely moved. I was surrounded by mountain flowers blooming their little hearts out: Indian Paintbrush, yellow Arnicas(pic10). I took many pictures as I marveled at all the colors. As I came into another clearing there were tons of columbine. They were on my left(pic11-12) and on my right and in front of me. I’ve hiked during columbine season before but this was the most spectacular display I’ve seen.

Back into the forest to hop over rocks and waterfalls spilling over the trail(pic13), I reached another clearing with more columbines and waterfalls. I almost missed the sign to go right to the Arapaho pass trail(pic14). More flowers:WOW(pic15)! Eventually I made it to treeline(pic16) where the trail was covered with water(pic17). The old mine pit came into view and a wood sign marked the junction; go right onto the Arapaho Glacier trail(pic18). The trail narrowed and was dry dirt(pic19) about 200feet and became soft and mushy as I neared the stream(pic20). I passed the big boulder that Bill said to look for(pic21) and the elevation dramatically steepened. As I walked on the side of the mountain on a single dirt trail(pic22), S Arapaho peak and Old Baldy came into view. Originally I was planning to climb Old Baldy first but I found a trail and hiked too far on it to turn around. I continued to S Arapaho. The doable trail soon became a rocky Class3(pic23). Despite the false summit, I knew I was nearing the top because I could hear laughter and voices. Once there, a crowd of people were sitting there celebrating. The amazing summit story was how they carried a 16 quart igloo cooler full of beer to the peak.

Here are my summit pics(24) of S Arapaho Peak(13408). It was really cool to find a USGS marker too(pic25). How beautiful it was under the bluebird skies(pic26). After talking to them I decided to nix N Arapaho peak(clearly visible) because the RT would take longer than I had planned. I could see Old Baldy(pic27) so I followed the ridge down to the saddle with the infamous cairn(pic28) and was at the summit in 30 minutes. Heres my summit pic(29)of Old Baldy(13034). Also pic30 of N&S Arapaho peaks and the top of the glacier.

Climbing in the Indian Peaks area was a new experience so I don’t know the skyline of peak names. The views were long and scenic and I look forward to exploring. All was good but it was time to leave. The trail going down from Old Baldy involved negotiating through rocks(pic31) and once I reached the junction where I had gone left to S Arapaho, the return hike was the reverse direction to the car. I wondered as I descended if the hillsides were full of wildflowers(pic32) in past centuries for others before me. Flowers were simply a green colored plant(gymnosperms) until the Cretaceous period which coincides with the first sightings of dinosaurs. Donning colors, flowers recategorized into angiosperms to be eatened and spread their phylum faster with these big traveling creatures. I detailed this strategy in my A Bowl Full of Flowers (2020) report.

Back in Nederland I stopped to ride the Carousel of Happiness(pic33). To add to my successful day, spinning around on a favorite animal was frosting on the cake. I enjoy riding and admiring the art of carousels. It was like stepping back into a carefree world(pic34 from 1957). What makes this one special was the mix of the past and the present. The machine was an original 1917 Charles ID Looff creation(pic35). Like the demise of many historical carousels, the wooden carved horses were sold to a collector leaving the frame for scrap. Scott Harrison, a retired Marine, grabbed the opportunity to learn to carve wood in 1986. It is a whimsical collection of 56 animals and birds: 35 can be ridden and others hung from the rafters. How fun!

In sum this was one of the most beautiful spring hikes I have done. Every season has its identifiers and I enjoy the outdoors seasonal sights all year round. The many clumps of columbine added an uplifting aura to natures standardized palette that quickened my pace and improved my watcher and thinker habits. The trail classes were easy to negotiate and routefinding was visible. My pace was mostly consistent. The vertical gain was doable and the final push up to the peaks made my heart pound so a steady crawl got me up those sections. RT was 9+miles and about 7hours; so pack in food and water. And the views were awe inspiring. The bluebird skies accentuated the fully bloomed columbines. Designated the state flower in 1899(pic36 in the state capital), every new spring columbines renew our pioneering spirit to get out there and live.