Difficult/Strenuous Hike close to Denver

[habaceeba]

Crescent up is a loose steep talusfest. But it's close to Denver and gets your heart rate going.

The gully is definitely scree/talus city. I still have bumps and bruises from 8 days ago, but the ridgeline to the summit is super solid. Dr. No, did you follow it up to the gendarmes at around 8200', or did you stay in the gully going up?

About trespassing, there are times when trespassing is necessary. What comes to mind is a situation where bad weather is quickly approaching. So, aside from ascending, it would be wise to stay on the ridge as much as possible between Crescent and Coal Creek Peak.

Does anyone know how to go about determining property lines?

[justiner]

A variation on those hikes already suggested in Boulder: the Amphitheater/Saddle Rock/E.M. Greenman ascent of Green Mountain out of the Saddle Rock trailhead. The trailhead is exactly 2 miles from the Baseline exit of 36 (just up from Chautauqua). 2,300' of vertical in a 4.4 mile RT that starts right from your car. The one con is that you have to pay $5 fee to park in the small lot, but you can avoid that by parking a little further down Baseline and starting from one of the many use trails at the side of the road.

That parking lot has been closed for a little more than a year, due to damage incurred from flooding in Sept. of 2013. You're right though, that parking is still available not too far down Baseline and there's a spot for one or two cars just across from the road the leads to the parking lot. That little spot only allows cars until 11:00pm. The street parking doesn't have any signs about closures at night.

[PaliKona]

Anyone know the trail conditions on the ridge of Mt. Sanitas?

[Sugar Madison]

Anyone know the trail conditions on the ridge of Mt. Sanitas?

I was up there last Saturday. Icy patches, but you could do it w/o traction still, if you were careful (though traction was nice to have). May be a little icier now, as that one tends to get a lot of packing + freeze/thaw.