Handies Peak Trip Report 08/15/2010

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Handies Peak - 14,058 feet Redcloud Peak - 14,037 feet Sunshine Peak - 14,004 feet
Date Posted	08/15/2010
Date Climbed	08/05/2010
Author	Vinegaroon

My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range (Part Two)
This is the second installment of "My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range". I climbed six 14ers in the San Juan Range during the first week of August 2010. My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range (Part One) - Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Sneffels, may be found here... August 5, 2010 - Handies Peak: After climbing Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Sneffels solo, my family came to Lake City, and promised to climb at least one 14er with me. So I planned a trek up Handies for the family. I prayed for good weather, and it rained pretty hard the night before, but when we woke up around 5:00-5:30 the sky was clear. We loaded up (which takes a whole lot longer than it does when you hike solo) and proceeded down County Road 30 toward Cinnamon Pass, past Lake San Cristobal and on to the American Basin trailhead, passing the Grizzly Gulch option. I really wanted to try to make it pleasant and as easy as possible for them, hoping they might join me for Redcloud and Sunshine the following day. Now, before I even left for this trip, I briefed everyone regarding the kind of clothes they should bring and made sure that everybody had what they needed to be prepared weather-wise... I was aware that it was a wet July and that we should expect the monsoonal weather pattern to continue. Everyone had rain gear, high tech fabrics, enough layers and merino wool or poly socks and proper footwear. You expect maybe young kids to need help packing and bringing the right stuff, but you figure an 18-year old could bring the right gear. Right? Well, that did not happen. My son reports under-dressed, although fairly prepared (for rain) with additional gear in a small pack, except he is wearing cotton socks and a pair of my old running shoes. Now this may be fine for seasoned trail runners (although the shoes were shot), but my son is a swimmer, and really would rather not be here in the first place. I offer him my extra pair of socks and the choice between a pair of Keen Voyageurs or my other Asolo GTX hiking boots (we wear the same size). He tells me, "Geez, it is not like I'm gonna die or anything"... I tell him he could probably use the added support. He ignores me... Well, the sun is out as we arrive and it's only Handies, so we set out, and he takes off before the rest of us are ready which does not even allow for a family photo at the trailhead. So we took one without him - and as we do, the clouds start to roll in... Looking back east from where we came from, the weather looks delightful. By the time the boots are laced up, and we pose for a photo (sans my oldest) the day starts to get gray... Looking East from American Basin Trailhead... Family Ready to Start Up Handies... I was told by someone on the trail or at camp that American Basin was past peak as far as wild flowers were concerned. But the hike up to Sloan Lake was beautiful, and the flowers plentiful - although is started to rain lightly... American Basin Looking Good... As we continued up, we could see my oldest on and off up ahead of our group. There was a large group of 20 or so that we could see as well. The weather started to deteriorate as we continued, and I did not take very many photos on this trip because I did not want to get my camera wet. When the opportunity presented itself, and the rain relented, I snapped a few... We did run into some wildlife. A weasel lower down, and several marmots higher up... Pop Goes the Weasel... Poser... Here is a shot of Sloan Lake. We talked to some folks who had a high camp there... I actually took the shot below on my way down when the weather really started to clear up... "Reflecting" on Sloan Lake... But, as we continued to climb the weather continued to get worse. We had most of our layers on, and pulled out the hats and gloves on the summit, where my oldest son sat shivering waiting for us. We experienced snow and sleet on the Handies summit in August for about 5 minutes... Long enough to take a full-family photo and sign the summit register. Immediately after, they started heading for lower altitudes... Family Summit Shot... Retreat from Handies... By the time we made it back to the truck the sun was shining, but my son could barely walk. Foot injury of some sort. I asked him this morning, 10 days later, how he was doing. He says it is better, but it still hurts... Maybe a pair of hiking boots might have helped... Live and learn... August 7 - Redcloud Peak and Sunshine Peak: We did take the day off in between climbs and headed out to the Telluride Jazz Festival on Friday... We had some family fun there, I "tasted" some wines and we all listened to some fine music in the sun. The weather cooperated and was perfect for our Telluride trip. But after the weather and trauma on Handies, I could not convince anyone to attempt the longer haul that is the Redcloud/Sunshine combination. My family opted to stay in Lake City as I ventured out early, back down County Road 30, to the Silver Creek trailhead. You know, I really like to have my family or friends along on hikes, and my daughter is usually my most faithful partner, but I LOVE to hike solo too. I like to be in charge of me, and only me. I like to go fast when I want, slow down when I want or to stop altogether if I want. I like to take as many pictures as I want, pee when I want, etc. Call me selfish, but I really get the most out of the outdoors by myself. I fully agree with Edward Abbey, when he wrote in Desert Solitaire - "I find that in contemplating the natural world my pleasure is greater if there are not too many others contemplating it with me, at the same time." The clouds held back for most the trip up to the Redcloud summit, and the sun felt nice. But I felt like I was struggling. The late night in Telluride, all the wine, and lack of sleep were taking it's toll. I was passed by several groups, who I figured in lower elevations would probably never have even seen me... But I was slow. Slower than my first 14er... I felt no other ill effects from the altitude, yet I was just plain tuckered out, and could not move out they way I wanted to. Silver Creek (below) is really silver! Silver Creek in the Sunlight... Looking back from where I came from near the saddle before beginning up the ridge to Redcloud (below)... Looking Back ... Upon reaching the false summit on Redcloud, I clicked this shot looking back down on the saddle/ridgeline. Nice puffy clouds - for now... Saddle from Redcloud False Summit... False Summit and Redcloud (left and red). Several folks ahead of me. Most of them passed me at some point. From this point on though, I started to feel better. I had a couple snacks and was forcing myself to hydrate... Redcloud (Left)... Final push up to the Redcloud summit (below)... Redcloud Under Gray Clouds... Once I reached the summit of Redcloud there were at least 10-15 people and a dog up there, and the weather was turning. We could see rain falling behind Sunshine Peak, and other places on the horizon. There was no lightening observed nor thunder heard. Folks were debating about whether to continue on to Sunshine (now inappropriately named), or turn around and head down. If I would have seen any lightning I would have been the first one off, but there was none. Rain was a certainty. I signed the register on Redcloud and announced that I was going to try to bag Sunshine too. A couple folks questioned my decision, and I admit that I did too. Weather Building - Sunshine from Redcloud... Well, the hump down towards Sunshine from Redcloud is an easy one, and I was now moving quickly. I was feeling better physically, and I was motivated by the coming storm to get over there and get back ASAP. It started raining about 1/2 way to Sunshine, but it was not bad. Like I said, there was no electricity in this storm so far, and I was praying that it would stay that way. On my way over I noticed the sign that says "this is not a trail", and quickly checked out the route I was going to use to bail off this mountain in the event that the approaching storm did bring lightning. It looks pretty darn steep... But I figured I could ski down that scree pretty darn fast if necessary... At this point I looked back toward Redcloud. No one was following me, and it appeared that the Redcloud summit was now deserted. Hummm... I also ran into a couple there who were looking toward at Sunshine and softly talking to each other. I asked them if they were going to go for it, or turn back. They said they had not decided. I told them I was going, and told them to have a good day either way... After about 100 yards I looked back again. They were turned around hiking back toward Redcloud. Hummm... So, I managed to reach the summit of Sunshine without incident. A little rain, but that had been par for the course for almost every climb this week. And, there were two other people up there. And apparently they had been lunching up there for awhile. I met Al and Greg. A 79 year old grandfather and his grandson. Grandpa Al had just completed his 27th 14er. He told me he started when he was 66. They left me up there alone to sign the register and snap a quick summit mugshot. The clouds were low and dark, but the rain had stopped temporarily. Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn can be seen on the horizon left of Redcloud behind me.... Sunshine Victory Shot - Dark Clouds... I met back up with these two nice hikers in route back to Redcloud. We did get a little sleet and snow at the saddle between the two, but as we continued to remount a now abandoned Redcloud summit the clouds started to breakup and later down in the basin we actually got some sun... And my new friend, the 79 year old climber, was keeping a most excellent pace! All in all, this was a pretty long 12 miles for me, but I am sure glad I grabbed Sunshine Peak while I was in the area. Six Peaks in seven days... Not bad for my first 14er outing. I am looking forward to my next trip. I think I am coming back to the San Juans to finish them off... This was the second installment of "My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range". My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range (Part One) - Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Sneffels, may be found here... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range (Part Two)

This is the second installment of "My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range". I climbed six 14ers in the San Juan Range during the first week of August 2010. My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range (Part One) - Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Sneffels, may be found here...

August 5, 2010 - Handies Peak:

After climbing Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Sneffels solo, my family came to Lake City, and promised to climb at least one 14er with me. So I planned a trek up Handies for the family. I prayed for good weather, and it rained pretty hard the night before, but when we woke up around 5:00-5:30 the sky was clear. We loaded up (which takes a whole lot longer than it does when you hike solo) and proceeded down County Road 30 toward Cinnamon Pass, past Lake San Cristobal and on to the American Basin trailhead, passing the Grizzly Gulch option. I really wanted to try to make it pleasant and as easy as possible for them, hoping they might join me for Redcloud and Sunshine the following day.

Now, before I even left for this trip, I briefed everyone regarding the kind of clothes they should bring and made sure that everybody had what they needed to be prepared weather-wise... I was aware that it was a wet July and that we should expect the monsoonal weather pattern to continue. Everyone had rain gear, high tech fabrics, enough layers and merino wool or poly socks and proper footwear. You expect maybe young kids to need help packing and bringing the right stuff, but you figure an 18-year old could bring the right gear. Right?

Well, that did not happen. My son reports under-dressed, although fairly prepared (for rain) with additional gear in a small pack, except he is wearing cotton socks and a pair of my old running shoes. Now this may be fine for seasoned trail runners (although the shoes were shot), but my son is a swimmer, and really would rather not be here in the first place. I offer him my extra pair of socks and the choice between a pair of Keen Voyageurs or my other Asolo GTX hiking boots (we wear the same size). He tells me, "Geez, it is not like I'm gonna die or anything"... I tell him he could probably use the added support. He ignores me... Well, the sun is out as we arrive and it's only Handies, so we set out, and he takes off before the rest of us are ready which does not even allow for a family photo at the trailhead.

So we took one without him - and as we do, the clouds start to roll in...

Looking back east from where we came from, the weather looks delightful. By the time the boots are laced up, and we pose for a photo (sans my oldest) the day starts to get gray...

Looking East from American Basin Trailhead...

I was told by someone on the trail or at camp that American Basin was past peak as far as wild flowers were concerned. But the hike up to Sloan Lake was beautiful, and the flowers plentiful - although is started to rain lightly...

As we continued up, we could see my oldest on and off up ahead of our group. There was a large group of 20 or so that we could see as well. The weather started to deteriorate as we continued, and I did not take very many photos on this trip because I did not want to get my camera wet. When the opportunity presented itself, and the rain relented, I snapped a few...

We did run into some wildlife. A weasel lower down, and several marmots higher up...

Here is a shot of Sloan Lake. We talked to some folks who had a high camp there... I actually took the shot below on my way down when the weather really started to clear up...

But, as we continued to climb the weather continued to get worse. We had most of our layers on, and pulled out the hats and gloves on the summit, where my oldest son sat shivering waiting for us. We experienced snow and sleet on the Handies summit in August for about 5 minutes... Long enough to take a full-family photo and sign the summit register. Immediately after, they started heading for lower altitudes...

By the time we made it back to the truck the sun was shining, but my son could barely walk. Foot injury of some sort. I asked him this morning, 10 days later, how he was doing. He says it is better, but it still hurts... Maybe a pair of hiking boots might have helped... Live and learn...

August 7 - Redcloud Peak and Sunshine Peak:

We did take the day off in between climbs and headed out to the Telluride Jazz Festival on Friday... We had some family fun there, I "tasted" some wines and we all listened to some fine music in the sun. The weather cooperated and was perfect for our Telluride trip.

But after the weather and trauma on Handies, I could not convince anyone to attempt the longer haul that is the Redcloud/Sunshine combination. My family opted to stay in Lake City as I ventured out early, back down County Road 30, to the Silver Creek trailhead.

You know, I really like to have my family or friends along on hikes, and my daughter is usually my most faithful partner, but I LOVE to hike solo too. I like to be in charge of me, and only me. I like to go fast when I want, slow down when I want or to stop altogether if I want. I like to take as many pictures as I want, pee when I want, etc. Call me selfish, but I really get the most out of the outdoors by myself.

I fully agree with Edward Abbey, when he wrote in Desert Solitaire - "I find that in contemplating the natural world my pleasure is greater if there are not too many others contemplating it with me, at the same time."

The clouds held back for most the trip up to the Redcloud summit, and the sun felt nice. But I felt like I was struggling. The late night in Telluride, all the wine, and lack of sleep were taking it's toll. I was passed by several groups, who I figured in lower elevations would probably never have even seen me... But I was slow. Slower than my first 14er... I felt no other ill effects from the altitude, yet I was just plain tuckered out, and could not move out they way I wanted to.

Silver Creek (below) is really silver!

Looking back from where I came from near the saddle before beginning up the ridge to Redcloud (below)...

Upon reaching the false summit on Redcloud, I clicked this shot looking back down on the saddle/ridgeline. Nice puffy clouds - for now...

False Summit and Redcloud (left and red). Several folks ahead of me. Most of them passed me at some point. From this point on though, I started to feel better. I had a couple snacks and was forcing myself to hydrate...

Final push up to the Redcloud summit (below)...

Once I reached the summit of Redcloud there were at least 10-15 people and a dog up there, and the weather was turning. We could see rain falling behind Sunshine Peak, and other places on the horizon. There was no lightening observed nor thunder heard. Folks were debating about whether to continue on to Sunshine (now inappropriately named), or turn around and head down. If I would have seen any lightning I would have been the first one off, but there was none. Rain was a certainty. I signed the register on Redcloud and announced that I was going to try to bag Sunshine too. A couple folks questioned my decision, and I admit that I did too.

Weather Building - Sunshine from Redcloud...

Well, the hump down towards Sunshine from Redcloud is an easy one, and I was now moving quickly. I was feeling better physically, and I was motivated by the coming storm to get over there and get back ASAP. It started raining about 1/2 way to Sunshine, but it was not bad. Like I said, there was no electricity in this storm so far, and I was praying that it would stay that way. On my way over I noticed the sign that says "this is not a trail", and quickly checked out the route I was going to use to bail off this mountain in the event that the approaching storm did bring lightning. It looks pretty darn steep... But I figured I could ski down that scree pretty darn fast if necessary... At this point I looked back toward Redcloud. No one was following me, and it appeared that the Redcloud summit was now deserted. Hummm...

I also ran into a couple there who were looking toward at Sunshine and softly talking to each other. I asked them if they were going to go for it, or turn back. They said they had not decided. I told them I was going, and told them to have a good day either way... After about 100 yards I looked back again. They were turned around hiking back toward Redcloud. Hummm...

So, I managed to reach the summit of Sunshine without incident. A little rain, but that had been par for the course for almost every climb this week. And, there were two other people up there. And apparently they had been lunching up there for awhile. I met Al and Greg. A 79 year old grandfather and his grandson. Grandpa Al had just completed his 27th 14er. He told me he started when he was 66.

They left me up there alone to sign the register and snap a quick summit mugshot. The clouds were low and dark, but the rain had stopped temporarily. Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn can be seen on the horizon left of Redcloud behind me....

I met back up with these two nice hikers in route back to Redcloud. We did get a little sleet and snow at the saddle between the two, but as we continued to remount a now abandoned Redcloud summit the clouds started to breakup and later down in the basin we actually got some sun... And my new friend, the 79 year old climber, was keeping a most excellent pace!

All in all, this was a pretty long 12 miles for me, but I am sure glad I grabbed Sunshine Peak while I was in the area. Six Peaks in seven days... Not bad for my first 14er outing. I am looking forward to my next trip. I think I am coming back to the San Juans to finish them off...

This was the second installment of "My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range". My First 14er Trip - San Juan Range (Part One) - Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Sneffels, may be found here...

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Doctor No	Nice trip! 8/15/2010 9:14pm Looks like a fun adventure - I love the weasel and marmot shots.
Vinegaroon	Weasel 8/15/2010 9:21pm That was the first weasel I ever saw in the wild... He cooperated and let me take a nice photo... :D
nomadelmundo	so green 8/16/2010 5:05pm great fotos and trip... congrats!
huffy13	Ain't it great....... 8/17/2010 10:44am Going on these hikes with the family and getting to get a family picture on the summit? I'm working on that, two kids hooked with one daughter scheduled to start next year on Quandary and then hopefully my wife may give it a shot. I loved the hike of Handies....so scenic and so few people. One of my favorite parts of the state.
San Juan Ron	Marmot and weasel.... 8/26/2010 11:09pm I have been in American Basin approaching 100 times in the past 7 years and have never seen a weasel! Count yourself lucky. P.S. I know that marmot.......SJ Ron :lol:
rajsach	Calling the sheriff 8/31/2010 4:44am Hi it's r&r. It was good to meet you at the campground. So glad you were able to do a 14er with the family. Looks like you had a blast. So funny that you pretty much predicted your son's experience three days before it happened. Maybe we'll see you on one next year.
Vinegaroon	Search & Resuce... 8/31/2010 10:31pm Hey Raj - I was thinking about you guys the other day when I was relating the Elkhorn Campground call to Search & Rescue to friends... :lol: I remember promising to send some Handies shots to you guys, but I did not get anything great (best ones are in the trip report above) because of the weather... Keep in touch and let me know when you plan to do some more climbing...
pigbroker	Great stuff. 12/30/2010 3:25am I really enjoyed this.

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