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"...
I really wanted to hike a 14er over Memorial Day weekend, but logistics ruled that out. California Peak, a respectable 13er (it certainly earned mine), was settled upon as the most accessible goal from the Great Sand Dunes area.
Managed to wake up around 6am and take in a view of the dunes from the Oasis Campground.
After a slow morning start, we arrived at the Zapata Falls trailhead at 7:30am
The road to the trailhead is a well-maintained dirt road, accessible by any car. The route is very straight forward. Take the trail to Zapata Falls, when you reach the falls continue on up the South Zapata Lake trail. Leave the Zapata Lake trail after crossing California Gulch and ascend California's West Ridge. I don't have any photos from below the turn off. I took photos on the descent and was too tired to take any more once we got back to the main trail.
It's a half mile to the falls, from there the next mile is pretty easy. You have to cross South Zapata Creek pretty early on after hiking up above the falls. Use the logs at the left side of the trail to cross. After crossing the creek the hike becomes steeper.
Cross California Gulch, here is a photo looking down/back at the stream crossing in the gulch.
This is the last of two stream crossings, if you cross any more streams you have missed the turn off. Ascend the hill after crossing the gulch and keep a look out for Trail 868 on your left.
Here's a photo of the junction of Zapata Lake Trail and Trail 868.
The trail marker is quite weathered and is upside down, so it reads 898. If you start going downhill and end up at another stream crossing, you have gone too far. Turn around, go back up the trail and look for the turn off on your right. We wasted a good bit of time as we blew right past the turn off. This was hardest route finding issue and in hindsight I'm not sure how we missed it.
Start up the old trail. The trail fades in and out at times but generally is pretty easy to follow. Not long you'll reach a point where you get your first view of the West Ridge.
Keep following the trail. If you lose the trail just stay on the crest of the ridge. This advice follows for the rest of the hike. You will eventually reach a clearing and small steam beneath a steep talus slope. Ascend the talus slope.
Here is a photo looking back from the top of the talus slope.
Continue to ascend the ridge. While no longer an open talus slope, it is still quite rocky and steep. This goes on for quite some time. I thought we would never get to tree line. There is no trail here, just keep on the top of the ridge.
Here is a photo looking down at the ridge from higher up, just before the final ridge.
Looking back on the final ridge from the summit.
I'm missing some photos in here, but basically it's Class 2 hiking over talus. There was still quite a bit of snow remaining, but it was broken up with talus. No single part of the hike was difficult, but taken as a whole it is a very long, sustained steep hike.
Summit photos: Looking out towards the sand dunes and Crestones
Mt. Lindsey
The Blanca group
Closer look at Blanca
Route map
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Great report, Living in Alamosa I have done that hike many times, just wondering if you checked out the plane crash, a DC-10 from the late sixties is just onto the east face about halfway between timberline and the summit, near an old mine.
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.
