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Peak(s):  Jacque Peak  -  13,212 feet
Copper Mountain - 12441
Union Peak - 12313
Tucker Mountain - 12421
Date Posted:  11/05/2012
Date Climbed:   11/03/2012
Author:  piper14er
 Jacque-ularity   

7.5 miles
3700 feet
5 1/2 hours

jocularity - activity characterized by good humor

Okay another Jacque Peak report but with the added fun of Copper Mountain, Union Peak and Tucker Mountain added in. I looked at other reports and this route is somewhat different. The route is in the Arapahoe National Forest, mainly through the Copper Mountain area. Since it was before skiing and after summer it was devoid of people.

Jacque is ranked 429 out of 584 13ers, Copper Mountain is ranked 1045 overall, Union Peak and Tucker Mountain are unranked. Jacque is in the Gore Range.

There are several ways to approach Jacque Peak with this report showing the start from SH 91 north of the mine.

There is a large parking area on the left side of the road as you start heading up towards Fremont Pass and before you get to the concrete barriers that are on the right side of the road. The mine has "No Parking" signs by the barriers. There are no signs where I parked.

I walked down the road to the north an extra few hundred yards to avoid the north boundary line for the mine property and crossed over to the west side where I began the hike up the fairly steep slopes towards Copper Mountain (2200 feet +/- in the 1.3 miles +/-). I did not have to jump barriers, walk the mine road or go through any gates along the route.

The small gulch I followed up for a short way is called Graveline Gulch.

There is a road I crossed several times along the way up the slope and a trail or two as I headed directly up the slope.

I saw what is a ski area boundary rope part way up. I would see a lot more of this rope up higher and along the ridge.
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The route through the trees was almost totally clear of any dead and downed trees so easy bushwacking.
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This is a view generally to the south of a part of Climax Mine and peaks beyond, taken from treeline on the ski boundary line. The route follows the ski boundary most of the way along the ridge. Jacque is just a short hike outside of the boundary.
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Once out of the trees it was short jog west and up to the summit.
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A view of Jacque Peak (center) over 2 miles away with Copper Creek (Cooper Bowl), Tucker Mountain (left) and Union Peak/ridge to Jacque (right) from Copper Mountain.
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I dropped down off of Copper Mountain towards the ski lifts and ridge beyond.
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Picnic anyone?
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Looking back at Copper Mountain.
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Climbing the ridge to Union Peak and the many trail signs along the way.
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Old and weathered snow fence.
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Jacque Peak.
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The Copper Mountain Trail Map.
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Copper Bowl and ridge run.
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An easy Class 2 finish and the summit.
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Views to the south...
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Views to the east...
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Tucker Mountain (right) and Copper Mountain beyond...
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Gores...
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Climax Mine...
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Interesting peak...
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Since Tucker Mountain was generally on the way back why not add another named unranked peak to the list. 200 feet and a few extra minutes up and over the peak, then down to the saddle.

The obligatory "The Nacho" picture with Jacque beyond at the saddle.
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I was hoping for "Guinness" to go with the "Nacho" but decided to drop down to the bowl instead of looking for more trail signs.

A part of Copper Bowl.
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After dropping down several hundred feet I started to follow the main elk trail through the willows. That worked out well and after dropping through the willows and trees the "Blackjack" lift popped into view.
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The route continued down the drainage, headed northerly parallel to the highway and then a quick drop to the parking.

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):




Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25


Comments or Questions
lordhelmut
User
funny to think
11/5/2012 9:38pm
Copper was actually open that day. Days can get pretty easy, when your trail reference is a Ski Map.


piper14er
User
it was open
11/5/2012 10:44pm
but way down below

and even I couldn't get lost with my Ski Map in hand


ekviatnie
Jacques in the Gore or Ten-Mile?
11/6/2012 4:46pm
Is Jacques in the Gore Range or the Ten-Mile range? I thought that Red Peak was the eastern and southernmost 13er in the Gore Range. Beyond being separated by I-70, Jacques appears quite some distance from the main spine of the Gore.


piper14er
User
interesting
11/6/2012 6:51pm
but yes it is in the Gore range.


GerryRigged
User
Familiar terain
11/7/2012 4:12am
I believe your photo 25 is Holly Cross.


piper14er
User
sure
11/7/2012 2:23pm
I saw the peak and id not think about it too much at the time. I did not check maps afterwards to see which peak it was. Thanks.


kaiman
User
Interesting
11/9/2012 11:03pm
choice of routes... I climbed Jacque via the Copper Creek drainage and then traversed east instead, but I like your route choice as well may have to go back and try that some time. Nice shot of Holy Cross! Some of my favorite views of the Ten Mile Range are from that area as well.

BTW yes Jacque Peak is in the Gore Range. 1-70 came much later...

kaiman


piper14er
User
thanks
11/12/2012 1:25pm
easy to pick out Holy Cross.

noisy I-70.


milan
User
Nice
11/13/2012 1:06pm
Kaiman says it all, interesting approach to avoid the mine and agree that the views od Tenmiles are great. I liked the area itself too. It was so empty in late spring.


piper14er
User
yep
11/13/2012 1:28pm
empty before skiing too



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