Western Slope Peaks

[myfeetrock]

I live in New Castle but haven't done much local. If you want elevation gain you can hike Storm King's west ridge. I've done it a few times shed hunting. If 2000 ft. is all you're looking for and don't mind distance then you can hike the Hogback from South Canyon to New Castle. Another long hike would be the Hogback from Harvey Gap to New Castle. That's all I have. There's the Colorow trail, but it's not quite a 1000 ft of gain. Nothing fancy local but there you go.

[workmanflock]

I live in New Castle but haven't done much local. If you want elevation gain you can hike Storm King's west ridge. I've done it a few times shed hunting. If 2000 ft. is all you're looking for and don't mind distance then you can hike the Hogback from South Canyon to New Castle. Another long hike would be the Hogback from Harvey Gap to New Castle. That's all I have. There's the Colorow trail, but it's not quite a 1000 ft of gain. Nothing fancy local but there you go.

Where's the access point for storm king? What's shed hunting?

[myfeetrock]

I live in New Castle but haven't done much local. If you want elevation gain you can hike Storm King's west ridge. I've done it a few times shed hunting. If 2000 ft. is all you're looking for and don't mind distance then you can hike the Hogback from South Canyon to New Castle. Another long hike would be the Hogback from Harvey Gap to New Castle. That's all I have. There's the Colorow trail, but it's not quite a 1000 ft of gain. Nothing fancy local but there you go.

Where's the access point for storm king? What's shed hunting?

Going west take the 109 exit ( Canyon Creek ) then turn right ( east ) on to 6&24. Continue till the road dead ends to a parking lot. This is the trailhead for the Storm King Memorial Trail. Instead of going across the canyon to the Memorial, you hang a left on a faint trail that takes you up the ridge to the summit. I don't know what it's like with snow on it. Shed hunting is going out looking for deer and elk antlers that the deer and elk drop every year. I got $11 a pound for 3 I sold last year. I got $160 for them.

[workmanflock]

I live in New Castle but haven't done much local. If you want elevation gain you can hike Storm King's west ridge. I've done it a few times shed hunting. If 2000 ft. is all you're looking for and don't mind distance then you can hike the Hogback from South Canyon to New Castle. Another long hike would be the Hogback from Harvey Gap to New Castle. That's all I have. There's the Colorow trail, but it's not quite a 1000 ft of gain. Nothing fancy local but there you go.

Where's the access point for storm king? What's shed hunting?

Going west take the 109 exit ( Canyon Creek ) then turn right ( east ) on to 6&24. Continue till the road dead ends to a parking lot. This is the trailhead for the Storm King Memorial Trail. Instead of going across the canyon to the Memorial, you hang a left on a faint trail that takes you up the ridge to the summit. I don't know what it's like with snow on it. Shed hunting is going out looking for deer and elk antlers that the deer and elk drop every year. I got $11 a pound for 3 I sold last year. I got $160 for them.

Thanks kindly. I should have known what shed hunting was I'm not sure why I was thinking the kind of shed you put stuff in.

Edit - I'm not familiar with the Hogback or how to get to it.Could you elaborate on the hikes?

[Chicago Transplant]

I've done a few things out your way, I will second the Corcoran Pt via Tellerico Trail that John Paul posted as a great Book Cliffs outing. I have also done the two peaks out at Mack he mentioned, those are popular Mountain Bike trails, so watch for bikes! I trail ran the pair from the saddle between then.

Another option in that areas is Rabbit Ears Mesa, trail all the way around, not much elevation gain though, but could make a nice trail run circuit. http://listsofjohn.com/peak/6576

Haven't been up anything near Parachute, but have done a few things on the Hogback more out around Silt. Lots of bushwhacking on Andgee BM/8057, but a public access point off County 226 with some dirt bike trails that get you up against the bottom of the Hogback before the 'schack. http://listsofjohn.com/peak/5207

Jerry BM was much better, there is a road to the radio towers, and then easy bushwhacking on intermittent trail along the ridge. Also can go out and back to other peaks, I went to 7725 but not farther. You can park at the bottom across the street from the State Park access to Grass Valley Reservoir (just through Harvey Gap). Its not on State Park land and I did not pay for a day pass, there were two other cars and neither paid, and none of us were ticketed so I think its okay. You can see the dirt lot with about 6 cars in it on the satellite view. http://listsofjohn.com/peak/5416

I want to get up Monument Peak, I have a trails illustrated that makes it look like its got a trail to the top, but haven't checked it out yet. http://listsofjohn.com/peak/3930

I have also been up Storm King, a little different route, I took the trail to the memorial (which is a ranked 7er, PT 7020), and then bushwhacked up the southwest ridge. Sounds like the route myfeetrock took would have been better though.

[myfeetrock]

Edit - I'm not familiar with the Hogback or how to get to it.Could you elaborate on the hikes?[/quote]

The Grand Hogback runs from Glenwood to Meeker. It's the ridge on the south side of I70 and crosses 70 at New Castle then runs on the north side turning north just above Rifle. From the start here point you'll follow an old fire road then bushwhack to the ridge where you run into another road. When you leave the road you will follow the ridge all the way to New Castle. I think it's about a 10 mile hike.