Mt. Antero Trip Report 07/17/2007

Peak(s):	Mt. Antero - 14,271 feet
Date Posted:	07/17/2007
Date Climbed:	07/14/2007
Author:	hiker63

Antero - via Little Brown‘s Creek Trail
Mt. Antero (14,269') from the Brown's Creek Trailhead (8,970') is a longer hike than from Baldwin Gulch, but it is much more peaceful. From the Brown's Creek Trailhead, I followed the Brown's Creek Trail for about 1.3 miles. At the junction of the Colorado Trail, I headed north for about a half mile until I came to the Trail 1430 junction. There I signed the trail register. This part of the trail is wide and climbs up a hill and then eventually descends into the Little Brown's Creek valley. The trail through the forest is easy to find. The entire way, the trail stays on the north side of Little Brown's Creek. After 2 1/2 hours or so, I emerged from the forest. The trail meanders through the beautiful meadow. Little Brown's Creek and wildflowers along this part of the hike as the trail slowly climbs higher. Mt White is on the hiker's left and Antero is on the hiker's right (cannot see its summit) while in this high green valley. To stay on Roach's route, the hiker is supposed to leave the trail and ascend straight up Antero's slopes. Instead, I found this rarely used trail and made my way along the slopes of the neighboring point, which can be seen in both of the photos above. Climbing higher, the top of Tabeguache can be seen rising beyond. After climbing a seldom used loose trail, I reached an old jeep road that will connect to the Baldwin Gulch jeep road if followed to the left. Instead, I crossed the road and made my way along the shoulder of the point until I reached a road switchback higher up and closer to Point 13,800. Finally, I could see Antero's summit. I went up to Point 13,800 only to see that I had to drop down to begin crossing the ridge to Antero's summit. I could have walked straight over to the ridge from the road. After 5 hours, but with only 10 or 15 minutes on the jeep road, I reached the summit. Below is a view of the ridge from the summit. On the way back, I stayed on the road for one extra switchback before heading back down into the Little Brown's Creek valley. Note: If you stick to Roach's route, this hike is about 14 miles roundtrip with a hefty elevation gain. Using the route I described, the roundtrip is probably closer to 16 miles, with a couple hundred extra feet elevation gain by taking Roach's 17.3 route variation. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Antero - via Little Brown‘s Creek Trail

Mt. Antero (14,269') from the Brown's Creek Trailhead (8,970') is a longer hike than from Baldwin Gulch, but it is much more peaceful. From the Brown's Creek Trailhead, I followed the Brown's Creek Trail for about 1.3 miles.

At the junction of the Colorado Trail, I headed north for about a half mile until I came to the Trail 1430 junction. There I signed the trail register.

This part of the trail is wide and climbs up a hill and then eventually descends into the Little Brown's Creek valley.

The trail through the forest is easy to find. The entire way, the trail stays on the north side of Little Brown's Creek.

After 2 1/2 hours or so, I emerged from the forest.

The trail meanders through the beautiful meadow.

Little Brown's Creek and wildflowers along this part of the hike as the trail slowly climbs higher.

Mt White is on the hiker's left and Antero is on the hiker's right (cannot see its summit) while in this high green valley.

To stay on Roach's route, the hiker is supposed to leave the trail and ascend straight up Antero's slopes. Instead, I found this rarely used trail and made my way along the slopes of the neighboring point, which can be seen in both of the photos above.

Climbing higher, the top of Tabeguache can be seen rising beyond.

After climbing a seldom used loose trail, I reached an old jeep road that will connect to the Baldwin Gulch jeep road if followed to the left.

Instead, I crossed the road and made my way along the shoulder of the point until I reached a road switchback higher up and closer to Point 13,800. Finally, I could see Antero's summit.

I went up to Point 13,800 only to see that I had to drop down to begin crossing the ridge to Antero's summit. I could have walked straight over to the ridge from the road.

After 5 hours, but with only 10 or 15 minutes on the jeep road, I reached the summit. Below is a view of the ridge from the summit.

On the way back, I stayed on the road for one extra switchback before heading back down into the Little Brown's Creek valley.

Note: If you stick to Roach's route, this hike is about 14 miles roundtrip with a hefty elevation gain. Using the route I described, the roundtrip is probably closer to 16 miles, with a couple hundred extra feet elevation gain by taking Roach's 17.3 route variation.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

FlyGirl	A better path less traveled 7/17/2007 5:50pm Nice TR hiker63. What time did you summit as we were on Antero as well the 14th but via the Baldwin Gulch Jeep(highway) We were on the summit around 10:15 to 10:30. I am thinking you might have been the guy with the nice camera outfit. Did you see all the crew from a gem club up there as well. A woman found a 3 inch long aquamarine that day. All in all though it was nice to be on a 14er on the 14th!
hiker63	Hey FlyGirl 7/17/2007 6:15pm We were up on the summit at the same time. I had the tripod and all and you were posing for the camera. I did see the gem club and searched on the way down, but I only found one rock with quartz crystals growing out of it.
roozers42	Definitely the way to do Antero! 7/17/2007 9:58pm Nice write-up, Barry, and congrats on finishing the Sawatch!
hiker63	agreed 7/17/2007 11:14pm I agree with psycholoco. I tried that bushwhacking last year and got frustrated and turned back. Since Antero had been an ”add-on” hike to an already good long weekend, I decided to wait until this year and hike Trail 1430. Thanks Jen! I am very happy to be done with Antero and the Sawatch!
psycholoco	Nice Job... 11/30/2010 5:28pm We took the same route with a little variation on July 1st. Were the fly's still swarming on the summit? A note to others using the Roach guide: We followed the ”bushwhacking” route it describes going left at the Colorado trail junction to Little Browns Creek and then heading up along the north side of the creek. I would advise against this. I suggest heading north at the junction to trail 1430 like Hiker63 did or, if you must 'bushwhack', go straight up at the junction until you meet up with trail heading SW. Bushwhacking by the creek is steep and the woods are quite thick.
Chicago Transplant	Thanks! 2/5/2011 12:22am Thanks for the beta on Little Browns, I want to use this route to climb Mt White.

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