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"...
Peak: Mount Wilson
Trailhead: Navajo Lake
Route: NE Ridge
Mileage: 16+ RT
Elevation gain: 5,200 ft.
10-2-09 Jake, Colten, and I packed into Navajo Basin from Navajo Lake Trailhead.
Navajo Lake (11,154 ft.)
Treeline between Navajo Lake and Navajo Basin.
Almost to Navajo Basin looking down on the emerald colored Navajo Lake.
Great camp spot at roughly 12,200 ft overlooking Navajo Lake. Loving the alpine country! Didn‘t see any other people all day, had the whole valley to ourselves.
View of Gladstone Peak and Mount Wilson from camp.
It was nice to have an afternoon to enjoy the alpine country without rushing to climb a peak. I have to admit though, it was hard for me to look at Mount Wilson all afternoon and not give in and go climb it. I was suprised not to see a single marmot the whole time we were there. The last time we were in the basin there were marmots everywhere. Seemed a little early for hibernation.
Camp by moonlight.
10-3-09 It was soooooo nice to actually have a good night sleep before climbing a 14er. So many rushed trips in the past to get to Colorado to climb being sleep deprived. Morning ritual over....time to see Mr. Wilson. Our route would be the NE ridge.
Near the bottom of the NE ridge.
There was a couple of inches to several feet of fresh snow on Mount Wilson's north slope.
Gladstone Peak (13,913 ft)
Great view looking across at El Diente ( (14,149 ft.)
Lizard Head Peak (13,113 ft.) looking short from the notch of Mt. Wilson's Northern Summit.
Coming off the Northern Summit
Looking down on Gladstone.
Jake in the notch below the true summit.
View into Kilpacker Basin from the notch.
Here's where it starts to get a bit sporty. Up until this point the climb up had been much easy than our last trip up El Diente. So close yet so far away... time to cowboy up! A short class 3 scramble with exposure to gain access to the final class 4 scramble. To add to the challenge ..there was a bit of snow and ice on the rocks.
View of the traverse to El Diente from Mount Wilson's summit (14,264 ft).
Wilson Peak (14,017 ft) , you can see the trail coming off the Rock of Ages saddle on the left side of the photo.
Now that the summit enjoyment is over it's time to climb back off the summit block. That was not so much fun, especially with the slippery conditions.
Once back on solid ground we descended a snow shoot below the notch of the Northern summit.
Our route going up in red, descent route in blue.
A few feathered friends on the way down. They blended in so well we about stepped on them. Can you find all the ptarmigan?
Another great climb...after 3 trips to this area, Jake and I finally finished the Wilson group.
Chicago Basin is next...the final 4...unfortunately I probably will have to wait until next year...darn the luck.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Kudos for lugging your full packs so far to camp high up! Know what you mean, though, about that good night‘s sleep before a climb... Nice to see that you had superb weather for a late season climb. You may still want to go back one more time: the El Diente/Mt. Wilson traverse is dynamite.
and photos! I‘m looking to do this group in 2010. So, thanks for posting!
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.