Mt. Zirkel North Ridge

[astranko]

Does anyone have any beta on the North Ridge of Mt. Zirkel?

I can't seem to find any information on it.

Maybe due to the fact that it's so far in there and sees comparatively little traffic due to it being a 12er and whatnot.

[bdloftin77]

Being the Routt county high point, Zirkel might be more popular than you’d think. Unfortunately though, the vast majority of hikers likely take the (long) standard approach from the south.

[Scott P]

I haven't done the North Ridge, but it's in Kramarsic's book. It says class 3-4.

I don't know if the book is still in print so email me and I'll send you the page (if you want it).. It says the file is too large to post here.

[Scott P]

Actually let me see if screenshoting the photo works.

Screenshot_20210929-210505_Gallery.jpg (105.35 KiB) Viewed 1561 times

It worked.

[susanjoypaul]

Being the Routt county high point, Zirkel might be more popular than you’d think. Unfortunately though, the vast majority of hikers likely take the (long) standard approach from the south.

I was thinking the same thing. Zirkel's on a lot of lists: Park Range highpoint, Routt County highpoint, Mount Zirkel Wilderness highpoint, one of the top 100 in prominence, and a P2K (actually, P3K, with more than 3,000 feet of prominence). So anyone working on those lists has Zirkel in their plans, and yes, the standard approach from the Slavonia Trailhead, and with a trail most of the way up, is probably the route most take.

[jibler]

there are some kind of intense looking crags on the north end of Big Agnes - not sure if those extend over towards Zirkel or not but if so it would make approach from north inadvisable.


having said that - I could see that whole 'north of the zirkel range' area last time i was there and it looked inviting. seemed like a cool place to launch out of.


and if google earth is to be believed those big agnes crags do not extend over to zirkel

[susanjoypaul]

there are some kind of intense looking crags on the north end of Big Agnes - not sure if those extend over towards Zirkel or not but if so it would make approach from north inadvisable.


having said that - I could see that whole 'north of the zirkel range' area last time i was there and it looked inviting. seemed like a cool place to launch out of.


and if google earth is to be believed those big agnes crags do not extend over to zirkel

Apparently, I took a short video from the top of Big Agnes and you can see Mount Zirkel at about 1 minute or so in. Ignore the babbling. I talk to myself a lot when I hike alone.
From this video, this doesn't look like the best route to the north ridge

[jschooch]

A friend and I tried to hike it from Grizzly Helena Trail in August and it is brutal. The frying pan basin trail is basically non existent due to fallen trees. We chose to bushwhack more direct from Goose Creek. Deadfall is terrible through a lot of there as well but if you know the way it is manageable. From about 9600' it opens up a bit and hiking isn't as bad. Above treeline is very nice. We got to the start of the ridge and weather was rolling in so we turned around. The closest picture that we had is attached. I would call the visible stuff a class 2/3. The top from this angle is a false summit and I'm not sure what the ridge between the two holds but it looks like it might be more difficult from far away. Total distance from GH trailhead is 16+ miles and the majority is through heavy deadfall. Coming from the Steamboat side would probably be much easier.

[cougar]

I went up the standard route and that northern subsummit looked loose and not something enjoyable. Lots of loose rock in the range, at least standard route is solid. Seems like most of the north end is gentle terrain. Any bushwhacking is arduous, between deadfall and thick swamp vegetation. From north park maybe a little less thick undergrowth but there were fires on that side. I think the red dirt pass trail is accessible from the east.

[blazintoes]

This is a highly underrated beautiful area and this time of year is so spectacular with the colors. I went up Zirkels south ridge from Gilpin trail/lake. Sure it was loose but enjoyable. From Zirkel I connected to Flattop Mountain and that too was an enjoyable hike. I came down Gold Creek trail and completed the Zirkel Circle. It was a long day and I began and ended by headlamp but it was very rewarding. If all you want to do is hike Zirkel you could go up Gold Creek to Red Dirt trail and avoid any bushwhacking or looseness but this is all on the south side of the mountain. Also I thought the Gilpin Trail was much prettier than Gold Creek so I would consider an out n back via Gilpin at 10,700’

[cougar]

here's a couple pictures of the north ridge. If you do end up going, avoid the gullies and loose slopes. Very scenic and special area as mentioned.

north subsummit seen from summit :

DSC05762.JPG (86.48 KiB) Viewed 1249 times

ridge from below :

DSC05769.JPG (92.06 KiB) Viewed 1249 times

[susanjoypaul]

I agree ^^^ it is a stunning yet overlooked area of the state, probably because there aren't any 14ers nearby. I did Park Range highpoint Zirkel and Sawtooth Range highpoint Big Agnes from the Slavonia Trailhead a few years ago and headed down the road to the Diamond Park Trailhead for Sierra Madre Range highpoint Buck Mountain South. You could easily get all three on a long weekend, even if you're slow like me. Shared Zirkel with just one guy (my hiking buddy that day) and had Agnes and Buck all to myself. I have not looked at the north ridge of Zirkel but that tiny summit sure seemed pretty exposed in that direction, from what I remember.