14ers.com

SO i find myself scheming up plan to get out to rampart area - maybe check out that Cheesman Mountain -> camp out somewhere and then hit up Buffalo Peak the next morning


yet - its just so damn bare now. and all the pull offs look so exposed and sort of lame - there's like almost literally no where out there to just camp in the woods anymore.



this whole area used to be vibrant area for camping! This was my first proving ground for getting out of town and camping when i was like 15-16 with my sister and her friends - top of the world area, by little scraggy and back in this cheesman area too.


oh and follow up - I heard reports a while back of excessive gun shooting out here - more in the summers maybe - is that still going on a lot?


I mean i could just drive up and hit buffalo and head back easy enough i suppose - but a little spring excursion and night under stars would fix what ails me i think....

RE: Shooting in the area.

In ~April 2023 I was shot at by some absolute wankers as I was heading back to the main FR 560 road after climbing 8251, Sugarloaf, and 8690. There are no trees or shrubs to obscure the view and I was wearing bright colors, walking on a decommissioned road. Two of them had drank half a rack of beer by noon. Do not count on finding responsible firearm practices out there, or really anywhere for that matter.

well that isn't encouraging

i can't pull the story - but there was some poor grandfather shot by errant bullet like 10 + years ago out there too. Unsolved to this day.


Well maybe in and out mission more reasonable?


I will say - last few years i was doing my traditional offseason excursions out here in november and dec. - and those were great times all around - so quite and empty.

maybe that's the better window to try to spend the night -


but where??

There are still places along Goose Creek Rd and spurs off that. They are somewhat bare after the Hayman Fire ravaged the area, but you can still find spots that are reasonably secluded. Might be tough getting a "good" site on a weekend, but during the week I'd wager you'd have the place to yourself...

I know a spot you might be able to use. Take FS 211 from SH 126 south of Buffalo Creek. Travel west til you get to FS 560 Stoney Pass Rd. Turn right and travel about .8 miles north. You will see some camping spots along the right side of the road for about 200 yards? A few tall lodgepole pines here and there kinda outline the area. I'm pretty sure camping is allowed here. I don't recall seeing any signs saying otherwise, but it's worth a look. I was in there a couple years ago when I climbed Cheeseman and another small peak named Sugarloaf. It would be a short trip to either of the two peaks you want to do.