McClellan Mountain Trip Report 08/08/2011

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	McClellan Mountain - 13,594 feet Mt. Edwards - 13,860 feet
Date Posted	08/08/2011
Modified	08/10/2011
Date Climbed	08/02/2011
Author	ronbco

McClellan from SE shoulder
Intending to camp at about 12k below Argentine Pass and hike Edwards and then either Argentine or McClellan, we made a misdirection and ended up in the basin below Santiago Mine. Note the road from Waldorf to this point was very steep and should be reserved for those with a jeep and experience (neither of which I had...but we survived...obviously). Anyway...we had a great soft camp spot in the grassy basin. The mine is really cool, and for some mysterious reason someone is doing some restoration of it; e.g. new roof sheeting! In the early morning, with limited time for hiking, we weighed the options of crossing the basin toward the north to get to the NE shoulder (the way I had seen documented), or take a more "direct" route up the SE shoulder taking us straight toward the summit and thus more time to get over to Edwards. Explorer at 12k, below Santiago, SE shoulder of McClellan on left Of course you know which way we went....it really didn't look very steep. Well of course it was very steep! 1k in 1/2 mile before it lets up with an easy ascent for the remaining 500'. Fortunately the surface is mostly grass, so it is not too dangerous. But make no mistake if you fall and start a roll then you will roll all the way down...the end of your earthly hiking pursuits. Once on top, the way to Edwards is trivial...perhaps 45 min if I recall correctly. The views of the rugged side of McClellan and Grey's/Torreys are awesome. looking back to McClellan showing gnarly NW side And of course, looking back on the SE shoulder of McClellan it is clear how steep it is from this side view. When will I learn not to trust gauging a slope with no background to frame it! From Edwards we went almost over to the Argentine pass before descending to the road. The wildflowers were great..even in August! If we had not been meeting some of our party near the pass I think it would have been more enjoyable to descend from Edwards directly east for a shorter return. We did this trip in 4 hrs, 5.5 miles, about 2k total vert. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

McClellan from SE shoulder

Intending to camp at about 12k below Argentine Pass and hike Edwards and then either Argentine or McClellan, we made a misdirection and ended up in the basin below Santiago Mine. Note the road from Waldorf to this point was very steep and should be reserved for those with a jeep and experience (neither of which I had...but we survived...obviously).

Anyway...we had a great soft camp spot in the grassy basin. The mine is really cool, and for some mysterious reason someone is doing some restoration of it; e.g. new roof sheeting!

In the early morning, with limited time for hiking, we weighed the options of crossing the basin toward the north to get to the NE shoulder (the way I had seen documented), or take a more "direct" route up the SE shoulder taking us straight toward the summit and thus more time to get over to Edwards.

Explorer at 12k, below Santiago, SE shoulder of McClellan on left

Of course you know which way we went....it really didn't look very steep. Well of course it was very steep! 1k in 1/2 mile before it lets up with an easy ascent for the remaining 500'. Fortunately the surface is mostly grass, so it is not too dangerous. But make no mistake if you fall and start a roll then you will roll all the way down...the end of your earthly hiking pursuits.

Once on top, the way to Edwards is trivial...perhaps 45 min if I recall correctly.
The views of the rugged side of McClellan and Grey's/Torreys are awesome.

looking back to McClellan showing gnarly NW side

And of course, looking back on the SE shoulder of McClellan it is clear how steep it is from this side view. When will I learn not to trust gauging a slope with no background to frame it!

From Edwards we went almost over to the Argentine pass before descending to the road. The wildflowers were great..even in August!

If we had not been meeting some of our party near the pass I think it would have been more enjoyable to descend from Edwards directly east for a shorter return.

We did this trip in 4 hrs, 5.5 miles, about 2k total vert.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions
Not registered?

Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.

Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App