Log In 
Report Type 
Full
Peak(s)  Mount Garfield - 10920
Date Posted  05/31/2009
Date Climbed   05/31/2009
Author  dcbates80911
 It was about time for me to get out....   
Garfield - 10,920
Partners - None
Distance ~ 9 miles
Elevation Gain ~ 3200 ft

OK...I have been inactive on this site and in the mountains. Frankly, this has been a very disappointing climbing year. I started a major work project on January 2nd (one day after summitting Pikes Peak) and it has been non-stop until about two weeks ago. There were some breaks, but I decided to spend time with my family instead of climbing (Favorite was skiing with my kids at Copper). This doesn't mean I didn't try. A group of us tried Sherman in February. A mountain I have done a couple times, but this time was different. 14-hour days just killed my stamina and I stopped at 13,100. At the time it didn't bother me, but now it does. Now, I am somewhat free with an extra 15 pounds (it is amazing what stress, long times behind a computer, and food can do). Today was welcomed.

Mount Garfield and Arthur are named after two presidents from around the time Colorado became a state. I have done both mountains a couple times. From Colorado Springs, they look like two twin bumps just south of Pikes Peak. The hike isn't easy. There are several approaches, but today I had to settle with using Seven Bridges trail off the close portion of Gold Camp Road. This is a nice trail for families to try as it follows Cheyenne Creek back towards Jones Park, one of my favorite areas near the Springs. There are several trail junctions in Jones Park, but I took the one that took me to the cabin ruins.

Garfield.jpg

North Cheyenne Creek
IMG_1606.jpg


IMG_1608.jpg

Looking Back at Colorado Springs
IMG_1609.jpg

Heading to Jones Park
IMG_1611.jpg

Jones Park - Aspen are very pretty in the fall
IMG_1612.jpg

Louds Cabin
IMG_1615.jpg

From here (Louds Cabin), a trail heads NNW and follows the drainage. There are small cairns, but otherwise there is no real trail to follow. This part is tough as you climb over downed trees and many rocks up a fairly steep slope. The drainage is fairly tight with a lot of tree cover. My goal was a saddle at 10,499 feet where I would approach Garfield to the West and Arthur to the East. I decided to go a little more North and approach Garfield on a gentler slope, which wasn't bad.

Mount Rosa from the drainage
IMG_1617.jpg

This is the crap you deal with west of the Springs
IMG_1619.jpg

Upon reaching the summit there was a surprise waiting for me. Up the valley, I could see blue sky directly overhead. However, from the summit there were T-storms forming to the west. I turned on my NOAA radio and watched the clouds as I took pictures. Not sure Arthur would be made. Didn't see lighting, but the clouds were building quickly. I figured I could descend to the saddle and make a choice then, which I did. As I hit the saddle, there was a big BOOM. It was time to head home.

What the hell is this??? Dark clouds!!!
IMG_1620.jpg

If you listen closely, you can hear NOAA weather on my radio as I try to figure out what is happening.


Pikes Peak
IMG_1622.jpg

Cameron's Cone...I have to get this one.......
IMG_1623.jpg

Self shot with my extra weight and Pikes Peak
IMG_1627.jpg

In the drainage and down Seven Bridges, I was mostly in the rain. Not a bad thing as it is something I enjoy. I knew this project would be disruptive, but not to this point. It is nice to be back in the mountains and now it is time to loose the "project" weight and hit some 14ers.



Comments or Questions
Brad
User
Nice!
6/1/2009 2:32am
Nice to see you back hiking! The wife and I hit Almagre Mountain South today and had lots of snow to contend with; including falling grapple snow. It looks like your hike was less wet than ours.


dcbates80911
User
Wet???
6/1/2009 2:38am
It was pretty wet on the way down, but a prize as I like to walk in the rain. It is those thunder bolts I can do without. How was it up there (minus the building storms)? Looked fairly clear for this time of year. Were you able to avoid the T-storms?


Brad
User
Some thunder
6/1/2009 12:13pm
We encountered a couple of rumbles before we made it back to the car. On the way up from FR 376 we kept watching the clouds grow over the Sangres; once we were above treeline and on the saddle heading to South Almagre, we noticed the cloud growing over it. We ditched the hike over to Almagre, as it would have added another 2.25 miles, and the storms were coming. There is still plenty of deep snow (twice I postholed to my waist) to contend with in the trees on the Western side and less deep stuff above treeline. I will put up a TR later so you and others can see what the area looks like.


   Not registered?


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.