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"...
And you thought all the deadfall was in the Lost Creek Wilderness...
Approach: Avalanche Gulch
Length: Just under 8 miles RT
Vertical: About 4100 feet
Ascent Party: Solo
I found only four trip reports on Mascot and all four had two things in common - they were in winter or winter conditions and they were written by 14ers.com celebrities - Kevin Baker (hasn't he climbed just about everything in the state?), Futhermore (ditto what I said about KB), Geojed (an animal whose times and distances I can't come close to matching) and Bergsteigen (Everyone knows that Otina truly IS the bionic woman!).
So - I figured if those superstars could do it in the winter and most tagged Yale on the same trip, surely a mere mortal like me could do Mascot by itself as an easy day trip.
Wrong...
I started out from the Avalanche Trailhead and followed the Colorado trail for a mile or two. The CT is in great shape. (captions above the photos)
The trail crosses a creek and then breaks out of the trees into an open area with a nice view of Mascot. My route up would take me up the right hand side of the ridge (route not visible from this vantage point).
About to cross into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area.
Looking back towards Rainbow lake.
There are a half dozen or so switchbacks that gain a little elevation on an open hillside and then the trail heads into the forest.
After the trail took a primarily northern direction, it just felt right to cut left and start up the slope. Trail goes right (blue), I went left (red).
Shortly after I started off trail, I encountered a little deadfall. No big deal - I mean, just how tough can it be?
Oh crap. I've just been transported to the LCW....
I fought through some pretty tough deadfall while the slope steadily got steeper. I took no pictures during this part of the climb as I think my heart was beating so hard, I couldn't have held the camera steady.
Finally, the slope lessened a little as I neared treeline.
I certainly had a nice view of Princeton on my way up (and an excuse to stop and catch my breath...)
But there was still more "up" to do.
Finally, a view of the rest of the route. Although at the time, I did not realize that is a false summit in the distance.
Further up the ridge, looking back down
On top of the false summit, looking ahead to what I hope is the summit (I was almost correct)
OK - so that HAS to be the summit, right?
At this point, I made my second mistake of the day (the first being that I thought this would be an easy day). In my infinite wisdom, I decided that side hilling on loose talus was preferable to staying on the ridge where there was more solid rock and some vegetation. I guess old age IS setting in...
And FINALLY, on the summit, the views made it all worth while.
Yale
Three Apostles & Huron?
The Elks
Princeton
Looking east
And a short 360 degree summit vid
I took the MUCH more solid ridge back down.
Looking back at the more solid ridge.
After fighting the deadfall on the way up, I decided I really needed to find a better way down. From the vantage point I had on the ridge, this route looked much easier. Route up in green, route down in red. Problem spots at the circles.
And it was easier - for the most part. What I couldn't see was that the steepest sections would be VERY loose scree (the red circled areas) - bordering on sand. Had I not had snow baskets on my trekking poles, I'm sure I would have slipped and fallen more than I did. Do not - I repeat - DO NOT try to ascend Mascot via this route. Stick with the deadfall route or better yet, climb Yale and then take a short detour to Mascot. That will also avoid the LCW caliber deadfall (the green circled areas)
As I do not carry a GPS, this is an approximation of my route. Route up on the right, down on the left.
And a few wildflower pictures to close.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and be careful out there!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I remember this one exhausting the heck out of me! We also thought it would be an ”easy addition” to the day. At least the views are great!
IMG 18 is the 3 Apostles and Huron. My first time on Cottonwood Pass, and I couldn't figure out what amazing peaks those were. When I looked on a map, I felt silly.
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.
