Handies Peak Trip Report 09/06/2008

Peak(s):	Handies Peak - 14,058 feet
Date Posted:	09/06/2008
Date Climbed:	09/05/2008
Author:	epeffer

Grouse Gulch to Handies Peak
I drove from Farmington, NM and left at 3:30 am to get to Grouse Gulch Trail Head by 6:15 am. Note: I‘ve attempted this climb once before in July; Grouse Gulch Trail Head is NOT marked out of Silverton. I was in the right spot last time, but I didn‘t do enough research on the topography the first time to realize that If this will be the first time you hike this route, after you pass an old mine on the right about the 10.5 mile marer, you‘ll pass over the river again: PARK HERE, This is where the trail starts. It was about 34 degrees and clear. I made my way up the zig-zag at the beginning of the climb and made my way up the single track path into the gulch. It was early morning, but the gulch is awsome on the way down (all the wild-flowers bloom). You‘ll pass an old mine cabin on your right and continue through the gulch. The trail stays in the gulch up to the saddle (13,000), so don‘t detour and take the other trail up to the old mine on the left. You‘ll pass a small lake before reaching a saddle (13,000 & your half way point approx. 2 miles). BOOM! That‘s what you‘ll experience when you reach the saddle because you‘ll come face to face with Handies Peak across the American Basin. I decended 600 feet to the American Basin trail and made my way up to the summit of Handies. Bummer for me though: Got leg cramps 1000 feet from the top - so it was 100 steps, lay down, rub legs, drink water and continue that process 10 times. Needless to say, I made it, but wow, I‘m hurting today! I met a few groups, one guy from Texas and another two from the Carolinas (I think, sorry if I got it wrong if you read this!). We chatted about 14ers.com and Handies being everyone‘s 18th 14er. The trip back sucked, especially having to climb back up 600 feet to Grouse Gulch; again, my legs were jelly by this time, and all I wanted was a cold beer in Silverton! Weather was awsome and the wild flowers were in bloom - and yes - the kiss of Fall fell in Colorado - the Aspens are JUST starting to change! Happy Climbing! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Grouse Gulch to Handies Peak

I drove from Farmington, NM and left at 3:30 am to get to Grouse Gulch Trail Head by 6:15 am. Note: I‘ve attempted this climb once before in July; Grouse Gulch Trail Head is NOT marked out of Silverton. I was in the right spot last time, but I didn‘t do enough research on the topography the first time to realize that

If this will be the first time you hike this route, after you pass an old mine on the right about the 10.5 mile marer, you‘ll pass over the river again: PARK HERE, This is where the trail starts.
It was about 34 degrees and clear. I made my way up the zig-zag at the beginning of the climb and made my way up the single track path into the gulch. It was early morning, but the gulch is awsome on the way down (all the wild-flowers bloom). You‘ll pass an old mine cabin on your right and continue through the gulch. The trail stays in the gulch up to the saddle (13,000), so don‘t detour and take the other trail up to the old mine on the left.
You‘ll pass a small lake before reaching a saddle (13,000 & your half way point approx. 2 miles). BOOM! That‘s what you‘ll experience when you reach the saddle because you‘ll come face to face with Handies Peak across the American Basin.
I decended 600 feet to the American Basin trail and made my way up to the summit of Handies. Bummer for me though: Got leg cramps 1000 feet from the top - so it was 100 steps, lay down, rub legs, drink water and continue that process 10 times. Needless to say, I made it, but wow, I‘m hurting today!
I met a few groups, one guy from Texas and another two from the Carolinas (I think, sorry if I got it wrong if you read this!). We chatted about 14ers.com and Handies being everyone‘s 18th 14er.
The trip back sucked, especially having to climb back up 600 feet to Grouse Gulch; again, my legs were jelly by this time, and all I wanted was a cold beer in Silverton!
Weather was awsome and the wild flowers were in bloom - and yes - the kiss of Fall fell in Colorado - the Aspens are JUST starting to change!
Happy Climbing!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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