Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
August 27, 2011
~8.0 Miles, ~3,300 Gain
Trailhead start: ~11,800 on the Trinchera Road. End: ~11,160 on the Trinchera Road.
Thunderstorm in the San Luis Valley.
The drive from South Fork over to Blue Lakes campground near the Trinchera Road turn off took longer than I expected. After departing ways with Kevin and Pete, Ken and I made the drive to Blue Lakes Campground, meeting Al around 9:45 PM. We drove to the end of the 2WD where we all ended up camping in our cars. Since Al and I had arrangements to be at the Cielo Vista Ranch by 6:00 PM, we started our short day early and set up our car shuttle.
Since Al and I had already climbed Trinchera, we decided on a route that would minimize our gain for our remaining peaks in the area. From the upper car, we started our traverse south at ~11,800 in some nasty willows. Fortunately, the rest of the day wasn't as brutal regarding bushwhacking. We contoured south at ~11,800 until we found grassy slopes that led us to the South Leaning-North Leaning saddle.
Al contouring around Trinchera Peak on our way to South Leaning.
First view of South Leaning.
South Leaning.
Hiking up the mellow slopes to the South Leaning-North Leaning saddle.
Normally I would be surprised to see other people, but I had received an e-mail from our Cielo Vista Ranch group that John and Reneta Collard were climbing the same peaks except with the addition of Trinchera Peak. We met up with them on the class 2 grassy north ridge of South Leaning and made our way to the summit where we arrived at 8:20 AM. The weather was clear but there was a brisk wind that kept things cool.
Ken working his way up South Leaning with Trinchera in the background.
The summit of South Leaning is near.
Our stay was short and we were on our way towards Cuatro Peak. We all descended the grassy class 2 south ridge of South Leaning and we all made decent time towards Cuatro. The terrain was mellow and we arrived on the broad flat summit of Cuatro at 9:00 AM. The wind had died down and we were all able to enjoy a longer summit visit. John and Reneta had originally planned on climbing back up and over South Leaning and Trinchera but were willing to join us on our semi-bushwhack back to the North Fork trail where we had our other car stashed.
Views to the south from Cuatro.
Trinchera from the summit of Cuatro.
Another view to the south from Cuatro. Culebra in the distance.
East and West Spanish Peak from the summit of Cuatro.
Heading back north down Cuatro's north ridge, we bypassed point 13,134 on the east angling downward and once we reached the east ridge of 13,134, we followed the east ridge down until ~11,900. We departed the east ridge of 13,134 and headed north then north-east traversing towards the North Fork trail where we descended to ~11,000. Right as everyone was doubting our path, we found the North Fork trail which took us to our stored car shuttle where we arrived back at 1:15 PM. It was nice to finally meet and climb with John and Reneta.
Looking back on the north ridge of Cuatro.
Route Map.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
We love that area and have property near there. We've been up Trinchera many times, but never Cuatro. One other that we have been to is Mt. Maxwell, a little further south, and is a nice climb with some 4WD from the Purgatoire campground.
Sure enjoyed your trip report. Wish I had discovered it sooner, but by way of the summit post site and the mountain page for Cuatro I can now see images of the landscape south from Trinchera to Cuatro. I hiked Cuatro way back in 1993 following the North Fork trail from Purgatoire for about 30 minutes and then turning west bushwacking up to the broad grassy east ridge. I descended north towards Un 13100 but chose to go down east hoping the find the North Fork trail which I did after a bit of worry! I have done Trinchera a few times , but not Leaning North or South. Best regards, Charles Baxter
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.