OTHER Trip Report 10/19/2011

Peak(s):	Comanche Peak - 13000 Comanche Peak - 13,277 feet
Date Posted:	10/19/2011
Modified:	10/26/2011
Date Climbed:	10/16/2011
Author:	M_Sandoval52

Comanche Peak
This weekend was a tuff weekend when it came to deciding where to hike. According to all the weather information available on the web, it would be sunny but windy. I do not like to hike in winds over 20 miles per hour. I have been pushed over a few times because of strong winds. The decision to hike to the top of Comanche Peak was made based on the ability to get to the trailhead. This we knew would be no problem. We left at 5:00 a.m. and were hiking at about 6:30. Comanche Peak The Alvarado Camp Ground is a nice place. You can hike a 12 mile loop as long as the weather provides. To hike the loop you start by follow Alvarado Creek. Then right above Comanche Lake you hike up to the saddle and cross over to the west side of the mountain range. You hike about a mile north before crossing back over and hiking across Phantom Terrace Cliff. The trail will take you next to Venable Lakes and then down Venable Creek right back to the Alvarado Camp Grounds. This loop was the real goal for the day. The sun had just started to lighten up the east sky. We only needed a headlamp for just a few minutes. After walking a bit, we stumbled across a leg of an animal just lying on the trail. It appeared the hip was still attached. This made me wonder where the rest of the animal was. I also wondered what carried it down the trail and then left it there. There was still hair on the calf right anjbove the hoof. I just do not want to stumble across the predator that killed the animal in the first place. After hiking a while, we were able to see Horn Peak. There are only a couple of places on the trail where you can get a good look at it. That is a tuff hike! Three times is a charm! Horn Peak in the distance. Trail a bit before the lake. About 400 feet from the lake the snow was between 12 inches to 18 inches deep. There were a few places that we post holed. We arrived at the lake to see that it had not started to freeze yet. What a site! Pano of the lake and surounding mountains Comanche Peak and the surrounding mountains had a lot of snow and the snow on the ridge looked deep. After looking at the saddle, it was apparent we were not going to hike the loop. I did not mind! I was a bit tired from clearing and fixing the trail along the way. The thought of stomping through the snow without snow shoes did not sound appealing either. Trail to the saddle. The wind blew pretty hard at the lake. As the wind rushed down the mountain side, you could see the water start to ripple. Seconds later the ripples covered the lake. Then the wind would pick up small particles of dirt and spray them across your body stinging your face. We relaxed for a while and then headed back. The trail had a bit of snow whenever the trail was in the shad. Now those areas became slippery. Trail covered with snow The hike down felt longer than when we went up. Why! This is what the trail looked like most of the time. Dry! Trail and evergreens covered with the Aspin leaves. We arrived at the camp ground and could not resist the colors that surrounded us. The Aspen were so bright with the sun shining on them. Fall colors. Nice! Sun touching the Aspins. Beautiful! The hike ended up being around nine miles round trip. Over all it was a wonderful day to hike. Aspins Another Pano of the area. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comanche Peak

This weekend was a tuff weekend when it came to deciding where to hike. According to all the weather information available on the web, it would be sunny but windy. I do not like to hike in winds over 20 miles per hour. I have been pushed over a few times because of strong winds. The decision to hike to the top of Comanche Peak was made based on the ability to get to the trailhead. This we knew would be no problem. We left at 5:00 a.m. and were hiking at about 6:30.

The Alvarado Camp Ground is a nice place. You can hike a 12 mile loop as long as the weather provides. To hike the loop you start by follow Alvarado Creek. Then right above Comanche Lake you hike up to the saddle and cross over to the west side of the mountain range. You hike about a mile north before crossing back over and hiking across Phantom Terrace Cliff. The trail will take you next to Venable Lakes and then down Venable Creek right back to the Alvarado Camp Grounds. This loop was the real goal for the day. The sun had just started to lighten up the east sky. We only needed a headlamp for just a few minutes. After walking a bit, we stumbled across a leg of an animal just lying on the trail. It appeared the hip was still attached. This made me wonder where the rest of the animal was. I also wondered what carried it down the trail and then left it there. There was still hair on the calf right anjbove the hoof. I just do not want to stumble across the predator that killed the animal in the first place. After hiking a while, we were able to see Horn Peak. There are only a couple of places on the trail where you can get a good look at it. That is a tuff hike! Three times is a charm!

About 400 feet from the lake the snow was between 12 inches to 18 inches deep. There were a few places that we post holed. We arrived at the lake to see that it had not started to freeze yet. What a site!

Pano of the lake and surounding mountains

Comanche Peak and the surrounding mountains had a lot of snow and the snow on the ridge looked deep. After looking at the saddle, it was apparent we were not going to hike the loop. I did not mind! I was a bit tired from clearing and fixing the trail along the way. The thought of stomping through the snow without snow shoes did not sound appealing either.

The wind blew pretty hard at the lake. As the wind rushed down the mountain side, you could see the water start to ripple. Seconds later the ripples covered the lake. Then the wind would pick up small particles of dirt and spray them across your body stinging your face. We relaxed for a while and then headed back. The trail had a bit of snow whenever the trail was in the shad. Now those areas became slippery.

The hike down felt longer than when we went up. Why!

This is what the trail looked like most of the time. Dry!

Trail and evergreens covered with the Aspin leaves.

We arrived at the camp ground and could not resist the colors that surrounded us. The Aspen were so bright with the sun shining on them.

The hike ended up being around nine miles round trip. Over all it was a wonderful day to hike.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

JohnWilliams

nice
10/20/2011 4:42pm

such a cool set of shots!

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