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Iowa Gulch Trailhead - 5.4 mile RT
Elevation Gain - 2586'
Participants - Solo
Pictures:
I originally had intended to do Lackawanna this weekend but plans didn't work out so I reset and decided to tackle these two easy peaks instead. I was meeting a group of friends later in the day to do Massive on Sunday so I needed something quick and close to Leadville.
I got to the Upper Iowa Gulch TH (aka the wide spot on the road under the power lines) at 7am. I quickly got ready and headed up the road at 7:15am. I was the only person around and the solitude was a bit overwhelming. I had not hiked a centennial solo in a while so it was interesting to be out on my own again. I passed another mine and then some ruined mine buildings and headed up near the power lines towards the saddle. I was moving quickly and gained the ridge a little above the saddle and headed left for Dyer first. I summited Dyer at 8:45am and spent about 15 minutes taking pictures and eating a bit before heading off towards Gemini.
About halfway over it started to look as though weather might be an issue so I made my way quickly to Gemini which I reached about 9:45am. I took a few pictures and did not find a register. I took some pictures of people over on Sherman and briefly considered heading that way and just coming down into Iowa Gulch from there but decided to head back the same way instead.
I made my way back towards the power line and headed back down into Iowa Gulch. I tried to stay at least some distance from the power lines especially when I got too close and noticed I could hear the buzzing sound. I figured a brain tumor from a high voltage power line wasn't a good idea. The clouds got dark over Sherman but I never heard thunder. I made a quick descent back to the road and reached my car at 11:30am for a quick 4 hour 20 minute trip. I have to say that upper Iowa Gulch is not a place I ever care to visit again. It's dark in there and the mine ruins are just ugly. The aspen on the drive up were nice however. I headed back into Leadville for lunch and beer at Rosie's Brewpub to wait for my friends to arrive for Massive the next day. Gemini was my 70th summit above 13,800 (counting everything ranked and unranked).
Your report brought back memories of the 1st time I summited Sherman. I went up Iowa and over Dyer. I loved the views, except for that massive power line!
Looks like you had a good day.
Yeah, not the most pleasant thing to see on a hike. That was part of the reason I considered going over Sherman so I didn‘t have to see it again. I just noticed the album link was broken. Should be fixed now.
Hey Jon, I‘m glad you found a nice morning climb since I had to bag on our Lackawanna plans. Maybe it was fate because I started getting sick on Monday, so it may have hit me earlier had I been climbing with you. How many of the Centennials is that for you now?
Scott
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