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I drove from Ft. Collins on Friday night and got to the trailhead by midnight. With 4 hours to spare I tried to get some sleep, but that was futile. I planned to do this trip as a solo and had done extensive homework reading up on everyone's write ups, including the most recent report by "benners" on July 10th (great job!). I should say this now to detract any weekend warriors: Going solo is DANGEROUS!! After sixty (14+) summits and volunteering with mountaineering organizations, I felt confident about my skills, but not cocky. Hence, I maintained a good level of fear. It rained most of the evening, but cleared around 4am. I left the trailhead at 4:50am. It was quite muddy and trekking poles would have been nice til you got on the northeast ridge. (Sunrise near 12500ft)
Just before the talus field near the end of tree line was a four-man group that had spent the night there. I met them at the top of the peak, and they noted they had a great campsite at around 11,400ft. The trail to the talus field is well traveled and there are plenty of cairns to get you to the first gully. However, I met a guy who apparently attempted to get on the NE ridge before the first gully (too early?). I saw him on my descent inside the first gully. He yelled to me from the ridgeline asking why I was 'way down there'? Sadly, I had to inform him that 'I' was on the trail. I sure would like to know if the ridgeline is doable at such a low point, Hmmm. (North Face above talus field: Head to the left!)
When I came out of the second gully at around 13,200ft, it seemed that there are choices of getting on the ridgeline verses staying on dirt/rock trail. Personally, I like to stay on all rock if possible. The last hundred or so feet, it seemed like staying to the right side of the ridgeline was the way to go. (Coming out of 2nd gully)
I think it was around 10am when I got to the summit. It was an overcast day, but still beautiful sites and far as one can see. North Maroon is my 51st fourteener. (Proof I was there! South Maroon behind me.)
The descent was long and hard with loose rock and moist dirt. I saw some mountain goats at the cliff band that will make a great photo for my collection. When I came down in the last gully and saw that guy on the ridgeline, it gave me the tendency to want to cut across to where he was because it looked like the way to descend. Maybe people must have cut across on occasion, or there are many animal tracks to the ridgeline. In any case, don't cut across, the trail leads to treeline and then you are back on the talus field. (Cliffband between gullies, with some friends.)
Wow, that was a long 9 hour day. I need a taco!
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