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There's nothing like a couple of days in the mountains by yourself to escape the political ads dominating the airwaves these days. I mean I like politicians as much as the next guy but sometimes it's nice to get a break. With that being said I had a couple of days to get away, always one up for a trip into the Gore Range I picked Red Peak due to it's southerly aspect and generally respectable view from the local ski resorts.
I left the trailhead on Saturday at 12:15 and made the way up towards Eccles Pass, this is the first view out of the woods.
I climbed up and over the pass and descended down into the basin just below Red Buffalo Pass, setting up camp at 3:30. There was a great view of the south ridge from camp, Red Peak is the high point on the right end of the ridge.
I was hoping to catch some of the meteor shower, but didn't see too many due to cloud cover; however, I did witness a sweet sunset.
Up at 7am I started the climb up to Red Buffalo Pass and the south ridge. No one else around, I was forced to watch the day reveal itself to the surrounding mountains.
Looking west.
Sunrise over Buffalo.
The route pretty much stays right on the ridge and is an enjoyable hike over good terrain, the route to the east summit looked a little more rugged, but doable.
I made it to the summit at 9am, beautiful summit, looking good.
Back at camp around 10:30, I lounged around, packed up and made the hike back to eccles pass, there was a little bit of snow, probably 18" at the deepest spots but not too bad. You could definitely easily do the trip as a day hike, but when you get camp spots like this, what's the rush.
That's a little-known peak, so thanks for posting your trip report. Nice photos, especially the sunrise. I have to say, though, that my favorite part was when you said ”I like politicians as much as the next guy.” That is too funny...
thanks for the report & great pictures! looks like a lot of snow up there.. is the trail follow-able or did you pretty much have to eyeball it across the basin between eccles & red buffalo?
On the descent on Saturday I broke trail over the pass, sometimes easily following the trail in just a few inches of snow, other times it was deeper, but probably never more than 18”. By the time I headed back there were a few sets of prints basically following the same route that I had put in, very straightforward.
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