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Jenkins Mountain 13,432
Point 13,140
Grizzly Peak 13,281
Mt. Kreutzer 13,095
Point 12,730
July 14, 2011
~11.7 Miles, ~6,800 Gain.
Trailhead: Town of Pieplant (2WD), End of the Garden Basin Road (4WD)
Sucking thin air was a must but I had only a day so I drove out to Pieplant the night prior and set up camp. The alarm went off early and I left camp at 5:15 AM. From the town of Pieplant, I headed east towards the southwest ridge of Jenkins. The last time I attempted this there was a fresh foot of snow and it was a nice change in pace to travel without snow. I made my way upwards and climbed out of treeline right at first light. Continuing up the southwest ridge, I headed for the small saddle just southeast of the summit of Jenkins. Due to large talus blocks directly on the ridge, I stayed on the northwest side of the southwest ridge. I arrived on the summit of Jenkins at 7:10 AM.
First light.
Grizzly in the morning light.
Upper reaches of Jenkins.
Taylor Reservoir from the southwest ridge of Jenkins.
Final push to Jenkins.
Looking north from the summit of Jenkins.
The Apostles from Jenkins.
My break was short and I started towards 13,140 where I headed for the Jenkins-13,050 saddle which was mostly class 2 talus. To save some gain, I skirted the southwest side of 13,050 and climbed the ridge directly to 13,140. Some class 3 moves on some questionable rock were encountered just before the summit. I arrived on the summit of 13,140 at 8:05 AM.
East ridge of Jenkins.
Looking down the east ridge of Jenkins towards point 13,050.
Looking toward 13,140 from the Jenkins-13,050 saddle.
East ridge of Jenkins.
North-northwest ridge of 13,140.
Crux on the north-northwest ridge of 13,140.
North-northwest ridge of 13,140 from the summit of 13,140.
Jenkins from the summit 13,140.
Grizzly from the summit of 13,140.
The east-southeast ridge directly to Grizzly didn't look good. I started down the east ridge and quickly bailed into the small basin between 13,140 and Grizzly. Staying on the ridge directly would have been class 3 on questionable rock and I felt scree skiing into the basin and re-ascending Grizzly was going to be a quicker option. From the small basin between 13,140 and Grizzly, I climbed up a broad talus rib to gain Grizzly's northeast ridge. The northeast ridge was a class 2 ascent on talus where I arrived on the summit of Grizzly at 9:15 AM.
Questionable east ridge of 13,140.
Jenkins and 13,140 from Grizzly.
Great weather and stunning views. After a short break, I started down the southwest ridge. I was able to glissade most of the way down on a 10 foot wide snow patch. Once the snow ended, I headed west-southwest to intercept the Rocky Mountain trail. I took this trail back to the base of Jenkins and then bushwhacked directly to Pieplant where I arrived back at camp at 10:30 AM.
Southwest ridge of Grizzly.
Nice flowers near the summit of Grizzly.
Southwest ridge of Grizzly.
Pieplant.
Jenkins, 13,140 and Grizzly.
Route on Jenkins, 13,140 and Grizzly.
Since the weather was looking good and I had time, I decided to add another 13ener I had orphaned. This would be my third attempt on Kreutzer due to poor weather on my prior two attempts. At least this time I will be able to add a 12ver. The drive from Pieplant to Tincup was relatively short and from Tincup took FS260 to the Garden Basin Road (4WD).
Heading up the Garden Basin road was narrow and rough in spots. Downed timber made the road more interesting. I ended up parking at the end of the road at ~11,600 in Garden Basin. From my parking spot, I headed directly up the south slopes of 12,730 around 12:45 PM. Once reaching the saddle to the east of 12,730, I skirted the grassy slopes of Kreutzer's north summit and reached the north ridge which was an enjoyable class 2 hike to the summit where I arrived at 1:30 PM. I backtracked to the eastern saddle of 12,730 and ascended 12,730's class 2 east ridge arriving at 2:00 PM.
Kreutzer below Kreutzer's north summit.
North ridge on Kreutzer.
After a short stay on the summit of 12,730, I descended directly off of the grassy south face back to my car where I arrived at 2:20 PM. In an effort to save time on the drive home, I tried to drive over Tincup pass but it was not passable except by 4 wheelers due to a snow bank on the Saint Elmo side. It was not plowed wide enough for SUVs or trucks to pass; still a scenic tour of Tincup. I returned over Cottonwood Pass.
That 13140 is kind of an anomaly for the area isn't it? I remember being surprised by the rugged loose ridge when I did it, and I think I ended up bypassing it in the basin too! I loved all the old mining cabins in Pieplant, neat area to explore!
Very informative trip report. Had a nice day in the hills and this TR helped in the planning process.
If anyone reads this and is planning on summiting 13140, the register is waterlogged. New register is needed if you care to haul one up.
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