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California Peak - North Ridge via Huerfano drainage
Climbed California Peak partially via North Ridge accessed via Zapata Trail from Huerfano drainage.
See trailhead update for condition of road on our exit on Saturday afternoon.
Still a bit of winter in the Huerfano Valley but by afternoon it was clear that Spring is in the air. Very cold in the a.m., an appreciated break from the wind on the ridge and a squall to highlight the long drop down the ridge to Zapata Pass. Warm temps must have stayed in the valley on Saturday as the road was crud on the way out whereas all snow supported us w/o snowshoes until the descent hit within 300 vertical of the valley floor.
Jackomait . . . you must have been just minutes ahead of us with dog? If not with dog, you had "company" besides us all the way along your trek to Zapata trail cut off . . .
Some friends and I did a spring climb of that route on California several years ago. That ridge and its false summits went on FOR-ever. Congatulations on sticking in there! Nice glissades though!
Went up there yesaterday to climb Linsey; the snow hasn‘t changed the TH too much; we parked right where you did. By the end of the day, A truck has broken through and knocked off nother 1/2 mile each way.
Winter is holding onto that road . . . 5/10/2010 11:11pm
Steve,
I‘m surprised that the drifts that stopped us were still in place. They must have had some good freezes as when we came out, that snow was wet through and through, I cussed myself for being but a single day early . . .
You are correct, that is one long ridge, makes North Star look like a short hike,
I have a hunch it might be a while till the upper trailhead is driveable . . .
Mike,
Thanks for the thumbs up. I think we are going to take a similar shot at Huerfano, but I'm going to give that road time to open for a Lindsey-esque approach. Something about those switchbacks on the other approach gives me the chill of a Missouri Gulch do-over . . .
B.T.W. - your Adams report was what prompted our Adams climb but dang . . . your times put us to shame
Well done Bob. I‘m glad you stuck in there. And thanks for the update on the road. I was planning on hitting Huerfano soon.
Mike
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