Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

by **TravelingMatt** » 26 Nov 2012, 15:33

Specifically the Bighorn Creek and Pitkin Creek drainages, and/or the road to Piney Ranch, but any info about the west side would be helpful. Want to get a few more 13ers in while it's still summer.

by **mrburns** » 26 Nov 2012, 15:45

Not exactly the drainage you asked about, but one drainage over, but I hiked up to just above Booth Falls on the Booth Creek trail on Thanksgiving. At the falls, which I believe is ~10,000 there was 6" or so of snow in the shade and almost no snow on the solar aspects. The trail was packed down all the way up there. Pretty bleak as far as snow, but still good conditions for climbing.

Hope this helps..

by **Monster5** » 26 Nov 2012, 16:47

How did things look up high? Happen to have any pics of the partners?

by **krs1** » 26 Nov 2012, 16:57

Were the Booth Creek Falls frozen??? Any beta/pics would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

by **jbchalk** » 26 Nov 2012, 17:41

Monster5 wrote:How did things look up high? Happen to have any pics of the partners?

Ryan, my hunch is that the ridges are dry, i.e. south ridges of East & West as well as the Partner Traverse.

by **mrburns** » 26 Nov 2012, 17:49

krs1 wrote:Were the Booth Creek Falls frozen??? Any beta/pics would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

The falls were partially frozen, I think I might have a couple pics of the falls on my camera, I will check when I get home. I don't think I took any pics that will have any beta on the partners, but I will post what I have.

by **sstratta** » 26 Nov 2012, 19:07

As of yesterday, Booth Falls is about half water half ice - very pretty! Very little water though compared to what it's usually like. As far as up higher goes, it's a mixed bag of conditions depending on what aspect you are looking at...some areas have knee deep snow, others are completely dry. I summited Peak H yesterday from the Booth Creek TH (west booth pass to Peak H and back over east booth pass) and have lots of pictures of the partners and surrounding area...I'll try and post some on her later tonight, but if you want anything specific, let me know!

by **TravelingMatt** » 26 Nov 2012, 19:21

I have my eye on the Z'/Solitude/Climbers Point ridge via the Pitkin Lake Trail, figuring snow should be minimal on those aspects and these are about the best willow-bashing conditions imaginable.

by **d_baker** » 26 Nov 2012, 20:09

TravelingMatt wrote:I have my eye on the Z'/Solitude/Climbers Point ridge via the Pitkin Lake Trail, figuring snow should be minimal on those aspects and these are about the best willow-bashing conditions imaginable.

I think most people would consider your Z' to be Vista Peak.
Z' (i.e., Z Prime/12,980' is to the SE of Pk Z -- or at least it makes the most sense to be there).

Edit: a post to a thread a while back from gore galore explains a little of the Z Prime vs. Vista Peak...

gore galore wrote:In the beginning there was C Prime and then the primes multiplied. When Z Prime was conceived a number of years ago it was bounced between Point 13,075 and Point 12,980 on some of the websites. I think Y became involved in the mix also. Z Prime if it is used should rightfully be Point 12,980, SE of Peak Z. "Vista Peak" is a Theron Welch name from 2000. "My hike over to the saddle was awesome. The view of Point 13,075 from this side is absolutely stunning, hence the nickname "Vista" or "Vista Peak"." Thus the ridge above the Pitkin Creek Valley and facing the Boulder Creek Valley sports a peak ("Vista"), a mount ("Solitude") and a point ("Climber's").

by **sstratta** » 26 Nov 2012, 20:35

Here's some shots from yesterday:

by **sstratta** » 26 Nov 2012, 20:38

and some more:
I would say Vista/Solitude/Climbers pt/etc. are in great condition right now - go for it! You won't need snowshoes, just maybe gaiters. Should be a packed trail up the Pitkin drainage all the way to your turn-off for these peaks.

by **davebks** » 27 Nov 2012, 16:17

road to piney last week had nothing but mud. there was some snow on the trails but mostly its muddy. not much on the gore

Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Re: Anyone in the Gore Range recently?

Who is online