Humboldt Peak Trip Report 09/03/2008

Peak(s):	Humboldt Peak - 14,068 feet
Date Posted:	09/03/2008
Date Climbed:	08/30/2008
Author:	Bobo

Humboldt...a humdinger of a day
Humboldt...a humdinger of a day Date Climbed: 8/30/2008 Group: My brother Bill and I Elevation Gain: 3,050 R/T Distance: ~7miles (estimate) Time: No idea (no watch, no cares, no worries) Route: West Ridge from upper parking lot w/ Pack in to near S. Colony Lake I left Las Cruces, NM around noon, and called from the road to verify plans with my brother (he lives in Grand Junction). Based on my late departure time (coming off a 3:00am return from a week at sea level in Monterey, CA), he suggested we just meet somewhere along the 4WD road to S. Colony Lakes (he'd find a camp spot for us). I drove through rain off and on almost the entire trip with the heaviest being just south of Raton Pass. Didn't look good for camping. I got gas and a caffeinated beverage in Walsenburg, and the clerk told me that the road (CO 69) to Westcliffe was flooded. He said I'd need 4WD. "No problem" I said and headed out. My boss's boss once said that with few exceptions, "things are never as bad as first reported". Very true in this case, I didn't see any evidence of flooding or significant water on the road. Sure it was wet in a few places, but I've driven even non 4WD vehicles on wet road before ;-) I checked voicemail, and had a message from my brother (no doubt detailing where he was camped, but it was garbled and useless). It must have said: I'm just pulled off the side of the road, and put a small cooler behind the 4Runner so you can see me...bingo, without even understanding the message, I found him at about 10,600ft on the 4WD road, at about 10:30pm. Since it was late and wet, we slept in our respective vehicles. The alarm went off at 6:00, we had oatmeal and coffee, consolidated gear in packs and his vehicle, and were off. On the way to the 4WD trailhead we passed a Chevy Cavalier way further up the road than it belonged. I wished I took a picture. In fact, it was so far up the road, that we wondered why he didn't just finish the task, and go to the end? We found a spot in the upper lot, but it was the only spot. Full Parking Lot at the Upper Trailhead The view of the Needle from the parking lot is awesome. In reality, the view of the Needle from anywhere up there is pretty awesome. The Needle We hiked towards the lake, and given how full the parking lot was, took the first campsite we came upon (just off the trail about .25 to .3 miles short of the lake). Camp After setting up camp, the weather still looked good, so we headed for Humboldt. At the trail split for Broken Hand Pass, another fantastic view of the Needle. Unfortunately, the Needle is going to have to wait for another trip (see Crestone Peak TR). The Needle and Sign We crossed the creek, and continued up the trail. As we worked our way up towards the saddle, there were a few wisps of clouds on the Crestones, and a few popcorn clouds that didn't seem to be able to sustain convective growth east of Humboldt. Still looking good for a late day ascent. From the saddle, the Peak-Needle traverse looks impossible. One has to realize that the actual traverse is below the ridge to even believe it's possible. Saw this little fella on the 12,850' saddle. Needle and Peak (L-R) from the saddle. From the saddle to the summit there is still plenty of elevation to gain, but the route is pretty straightforward. A little boulder hopping is about as tough as it gets. Plenty of traffic this day, mostly people coming down. Once past the false summit, the summit ridge it pretty spectacular with a sheer drop off to the north side. Summit ridge (the cloud in the background was collapsing, not building) We loped over to the summit for a little lunch. I know I said I didn't have a watch, but I did have a cell phone...It was 12:28 when I called my wife from the summit. Pretty good reception up there too. I used to hate it when people made phone calls from the summit...I guess cell phones have become so ubiquitous, that I have succumbed. Here are some summit shots: Looking South (maybe that's Culebra to the left? Blanca group obscured by clouds) Bill's summit mug (with cotton candy cloud) Looking NW into N. Colony Lakes basin (Bears Playground to left w/ KC obscured and Challenger partially obscured) My summit mug Needle and Peak again from the summit On the way down, we stopped to pump water from the creek, and one last shot of the Needle with the clouds lifted. It was a nice evening back at camp, no rain. Needle again (sorry, I know this is supposed to be a Humboldt report) Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Humboldt...a humdinger of a day

Humboldt...a humdinger of a day

Date Climbed: 8/30/2008
Group: My brother Bill and I
Elevation Gain: 3,050
R/T Distance: ~7miles (estimate)
Time: No idea (no watch, no cares, no worries)
Route: West Ridge from upper parking lot w/ Pack in to near S. Colony Lake

I left Las Cruces, NM around noon, and called from the road to verify plans with my brother (he lives in Grand Junction). Based on my late departure time (coming off a 3:00am return from a week at sea level in Monterey, CA), he suggested we just meet somewhere along the 4WD road to S. Colony Lakes (he'd find a camp spot for us). I drove through rain off and on almost the entire trip with the heaviest being just south of Raton Pass. Didn't look good for camping. I got gas and a caffeinated beverage in Walsenburg, and the clerk told me that the road (CO 69) to Westcliffe was flooded. He said I'd need 4WD. "No problem" I said and headed out. My boss's boss once said that with few exceptions, "things are never as bad as first reported". Very true in this case, I didn't see any evidence of flooding or significant water on the road. Sure it was wet in a few places, but I've driven even non 4WD vehicles on wet road before ;-) I checked voicemail, and had a message from my brother (no doubt detailing where he was camped, but it was garbled and useless). It must have said: I'm just pulled off the side of the road, and put a small cooler behind the 4Runner so you can see me...bingo, without even understanding the message, I found him at about 10,600ft on the 4WD road, at about 10:30pm. Since it was late and wet, we slept in our respective vehicles.

The alarm went off at 6:00, we had oatmeal and coffee, consolidated gear in packs and his vehicle, and were off. On the way to the 4WD trailhead we passed a Chevy Cavalier way further up the road than it belonged. I wished I took a picture. In fact, it was so far up the road, that we wondered why he didn't just finish the task, and go to the end?

We found a spot in the upper lot, but it was the only spot.

Full Parking Lot at the Upper Trailhead

The view of the Needle from the parking lot is awesome. In reality, the view of the Needle from anywhere up there is pretty awesome.

The Needle

We hiked towards the lake, and given how full the parking lot was, took the first campsite we came upon (just off the trail about .25 to .3 miles short of the lake).

Camp

After setting up camp, the weather still looked good, so we headed for Humboldt.

At the trail split for Broken Hand Pass, another fantastic view of the Needle. Unfortunately, the Needle is going to have to wait for another trip (see Crestone Peak TR).

The Needle and Sign

We crossed the creek, and continued up the trail. As we worked our way up towards the saddle, there were a few wisps of clouds on the Crestones, and a few popcorn clouds that didn't seem to be able to sustain convective growth east of Humboldt. Still looking good for a late day ascent. From the saddle, the Peak-Needle traverse looks impossible. One has to realize that the actual traverse is below the ridge to even believe it's possible.

Saw this little fella on the 12,850' saddle.

Needle and Peak (L-R) from the saddle.

From the saddle to the summit there is still plenty of elevation to gain, but the route is pretty straightforward. A little boulder hopping is about as tough as it gets. Plenty of traffic this day, mostly people coming down. Once past the false summit, the summit ridge it pretty spectacular with a sheer drop off to the north side.

Summit ridge (the cloud in the background was collapsing, not building)

We loped over to the summit for a little lunch. I know I said I didn't have a watch, but I did have a cell phone...It was 12:28 when I called my wife from the summit. Pretty good reception up there too. I used to hate it when people made phone calls from the summit...I guess cell phones have become so ubiquitous, that I have succumbed. Here are some summit shots:

Looking South (maybe that's Culebra to the left? Blanca group obscured by clouds)

Bill's summit mug (with cotton candy cloud)

Looking NW into N. Colony Lakes basin (Bears Playground to left w/ KC obscured and Challenger partially obscured)

My summit mug

Needle and Peak again from the summit

On the way down, we stopped to pump water from the creek, and one last shot of the Needle with the clouds lifted. It was a nice evening back at camp, no rain.

Needle again (sorry, I know this is supposed to be a Humboldt report)

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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