Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Approach: Abyss Lake Trail (aka Scott-Gomer Trail)
Length: A bit under 6 miles RT
Vertical: About 1500 feet
Ascent party: Solo
I know it must seem like I'm stuck in the Mount Evans Wilderness area. And maybe I am. But I realized that I had not seen anything on the site about Arrowhead (not the one in RMNP), so it was time to correct that.
I had long sensed that because there were so many abandoned logging roads in the area, there should be one on the west face of Arrowhead. And there was. I seem to have pretty good luck finding logging roads - perhaps that is because I was born in Minnesota and have a little Paul Bunyan somewhere in my lineage. Although I never had a blue ox, I do think I remember seeing one back in the 60's on a much different sort of trip.....
The entry point is the same as in my past two TR's - Abyss Lake trail. Follow it up a bit and then hang a right at the "open" area about 2 miles in. As it was a pretty cloudy day, most of the pics look like they were taken in B&W mode...
At the trailhead looking west.
The trail had a little more snow on it that the last time I went up this way.
When you see this rock on the left, you are coming up on the open area where you will break off the trail and head east.
Here is the open area.
I had actually gone up Arrowhead the weekend prior but FORGETTING MY CAMERA, I was unable to document the climb. The tracks you will see from here on are mine from the previous week - so I poached my own trench which certainly made this trek a bit easier.
Here is where I cut to the right.
And there are several little stream crossings (Scott Gomer creek splits into several channels through the willows - which are fairly easy to work through in the winter).
That's Kataka in the distance.
Last stream crossing.
It just "felt" like the logging road would be north of here...
And it was.
Lots of evidence of logging ops.
After a mile or so, the road gradually disappears and I chose just to head straight east up to the ridge. The bushwhacking was relatively easy.
Once on the ridge, you get a view of Geneva Mountain.
And Squaretop Mountain.
Cool rock formation on the summit ridge.
I hit the ridge about a quarter mile north of the summit and it was a pretty easy run to the summit.
As the summit is in the trees, there aren't great views but I did catch this one looking southwest.
And a zoom on Squaretop.
Heading back down.
On the way back, I chose to cross a little upstream from my original route as there had been a snow bridge there the week before.
And it was still there.
And back to the parking lot with my FJ feeling lonely.
Approximate route.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and please be careful out there!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Or I guess...two. When I saw your Arrowhead email, I was thinking ”he must've accidentally sent it again..” but NOPE! That Jay climbed it again!
A couple years ago, Clay, Dillon and I were headed to Arrowhead after Spearhead and Kataka but left at the Kataka/Arrowhead saddle in order to get down by dark. Never made it back.
Looking forward to getting back out with you in the future. Should be in CO pretty soon.
You did the route twice to capture with your camera?? Kudos to you!
Thanks for documenting this - I was looking for something in the trees for tomorrow. Too windy up high for me.
Thanks for the beta!
Interesting how Squaretop looks Square from this angle.
I had to go back and look at your 12/15 post to see if this was right too! I don't find that odd that you do stuff like this. I can do repeats for several times in a row as well. You have a great love for this area. Surprised you don't live up there somewhere along 285 west of Bailey!
Jeff Valliere's otherside of Squaretop shows how different that mountain is. I actually went down that cirque once in winter when I was young and stupid. But a very picturesque mountain nonetheless!
I have to confess though, when I saw your title, I first thought it was my most recent conquest. But it didn't disappoint at all. Great job! Thanks for posting!
Yeah - I guess if climbing a mountain once is fun, then climbing it again is even better. When I went up on the 15th, I had fully intended on documenting it for a TR but my cell phone pics just weren't all that great - so back again the next weekend.
Nancy - hope it worked for you. And Happy New Year to you, too!
Doug - yeah - I thought people might confuse it with Arrowhead Peak - which looks like a VERY cool mountain that I will have to visit one of these days.
All - Thanks again for the positive comments and likes. They are MUCH appreciated!
Reading TRs make me want to get out there so badly!!! I can't wait till this bum leg of mine is better. Looks like a great day! Glad you're enjoying it
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.
When I saw your Arrowhead email, I was thinking ”he must've accidentally sent it again..” but NOPE! That Jay climbed it again! 
