Huron Peak Trip Report 07/28/2009

Peak(s):	Huron Peak - 14,006 feet
Date Posted:	07/28/2009
Modified:	08/07/2009
Date Climbed:	07/28/2009
Author:	Markwise

Chicagoans on Huron Peak
Had a most beautiful day on Huron. Plenty of good TR's detailing the route so I plan to provide some information unique to today's experience. WEATHER: Clear skies most of the morning, small puffballs started to grow around 9am. By 11am skies still in pretty good shape, no impending storms. One shocker for us today was the winds. As we got into the upper reaches of the basin below Huron the winds were howling. This also brought the temperature down a good degree. On the summit the winds were still howling, almost, but not quite enough to knock a guy over. CROWDS: This seems to be a growing trend and perhaps worth mentioning. We were surprised at the relatively small amount of people today. I would say we only saw about 20 in total and they were for the most part spread out. We had a good 10 minutes on the summit to ourselves. It was just enough people to not be crowded but yet have a few nice folks to enjoy the scenery with and say hello to. TRAIL BETA: No snow anywhere near the standard trail. A few snow patches left on the mountain but not an issue for the regular hiker. Trail was easy to follow from the beginning of the 4WD road. Was a great class 1 hike until perhaps the last 300 feet or so. Then it became a low class 2 scramble to the top. TIME: For anyone who is curious about the length of this hike. My brother and I started around 5:20am from the very bottom of the 4WD road. Took about 40 minutes to hike the 2 mile road to the TH. Summited 8:20am (3 hours). Spent 40 mins on the summit. Returned to vehicle at 11:05am (2hr 5 min down). 8i.5 miles roundtrip. PICTURES: On my 14er hikes I use a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet with bluetooth GPS to create a GPX track. There is an amazing program called Maemo Mapper that facilitates this. I have overlayed the GPX track file into Google Earth and taken some snapshots of our path. This first Google Earth image is looking to the east at the entire route up to Huron. We walked the entire 4WD portion of the road (only about 2 miles or so). This second Google Earth image is looking to the southeast and is a closer look at the easy route up to the summit: This is an early morning image of the Three Apostles Our first look at Huron‘s summit A good look at the upper portion of the hike to Huron. No snow on the route right now. The hike to the upper portion of the basin involve going up a steeper portion which I would dub the "stairmaster" as the trail through there had quite a few rock steps built into it. On the saddle just below the final summit pitch to Huron. One might argue it begins to break class 2 here. My brother and I on Huron‘s summit with the Three Apostles behind. The Three Apostles A look at the hike down from Huron following a well-built trail Beautiful meadows and still some blooming wildflowers on Huron Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Chicagoans on Huron Peak

Had a most beautiful day on Huron. Plenty of good TR's detailing the route so I plan to provide some information unique to today's experience.

WEATHER: Clear skies most of the morning, small puffballs started to grow around 9am. By 11am skies still in pretty good shape, no impending storms. One shocker for us today was the winds. As we got into the upper reaches of the basin below Huron the winds were howling. This also brought the temperature down a good degree. On the summit the winds were still howling, almost, but not quite enough to knock a guy over.

CROWDS: This seems to be a growing trend and perhaps worth mentioning. We were surprised at the relatively small amount of people today. I would say we only saw about 20 in total and they were for the most part spread out. We had a good 10 minutes on the summit to ourselves. It was just enough people to not be crowded but yet have a few nice folks to enjoy the scenery with and say hello to.

TRAIL BETA: No snow anywhere near the standard trail. A few snow patches left on the mountain but not an issue for the regular hiker. Trail was easy to follow from the beginning of the 4WD road. Was a great class 1 hike until perhaps the last 300 feet or so. Then it became a low class 2 scramble to the top.

TIME: For anyone who is curious about the length of this hike. My brother and I started around 5:20am from the very bottom of the 4WD road. Took about 40 minutes to hike the 2 mile road to the TH. Summited 8:20am (3 hours). Spent 40 mins on the summit. Returned to vehicle at 11:05am (2hr 5 min down). 8i.5 miles roundtrip.

PICTURES:
On my 14er hikes I use a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet with bluetooth GPS to create a GPX track. There is an amazing program called Maemo Mapper that facilitates this. I have overlayed the GPX track file into Google Earth and taken some snapshots of our path.

This first Google Earth image is looking to the east at the entire route up to Huron. We walked the entire 4WD portion of the road (only about 2 miles or so).

This second Google Earth image is looking to the southeast and is a closer look at the easy route up to the summit:

This is an early morning image of the Three Apostles

Our first look at Huron‘s summit

A good look at the upper portion of the hike to Huron. No snow on the route right now. The hike to the upper portion of the basin involve going up a steeper portion which I would dub the "stairmaster" as the trail through there had quite a few rock steps built into it.

On the saddle just below the final summit pitch to Huron. One might argue it begins to break class 2 here.

My brother and I on Huron‘s summit with the Three Apostles behind.

The Three Apostles

A look at the hike down from Huron following a well-built trail

Beautiful meadows and still some blooming wildflowers on Huron

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions
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.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App