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Peaks of the Park: Flattop Mountain A (12,324'), Otis Peak (12,486'), Taylor Peak B (13,153'), Powell Peak (13,208') Date: October 17, 2014 Trailhead: Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park Distance: 17.8 miles Elevation Gain: ~ 6,000 ft. Participants: Solo mission Time: 8 Hours
On Friday morning I woke up late, rolled into the "office", moved the mouse, and with a little help from a picture on my desk, made a game day decision to go outside. For those of you that don't know me, my profession is accounting (taxes to cut to the chase) and October 15th while it's no April 15th, can still be a huge pain in the @ss! A much needed break from the monotony was in order and Indian Summer was knocking on the door. Keep reading...
I did nearly this same hike in 2003. I hit Flattop, Hallet, Otis, & Taylor but skipped Powell and instead descended down Andrews Glacier and then looped back to Bear Lake through the Loch. It was a fabulous day! Yeah, it's hard to beat the RMNP. Nice pics!
So you've got your eyes on Arrowhead and McHenrys? I still want to complete that loop if possible sometime. 2015?
Dillon--
You left a nice comment on my trip report on 14ers.com about the NW Couloir on Longs. Thank you. I began my climbing career in RMNP. My parents were living in Estes when I was born in 1949 (yes, I am an old man now). I moved back there in 1999 with my wife. She had been a seasonal ranger in the Park after getting her first degree from Kent State (Ohio) in P.E. and Recreation, so she had links to Estes as well. We lived there until 2006, after which we moved to Silver Cliff near the Sangres. I love it here! But she misses Estes, so we recently bought a very small condo there, which will be a transition until our house in Silver Cliff sells. Then we plan to buy a more appropriate place in Estes. The point of this story is that I will probably end my climbing career in the Park, too. I will be in good company, because Tom Hornbein was living in Allenspark when we lived in Estes, and I'm sure he was climbing in the area too at the time. I would have loved to have run into him on one of those summits! After moving to Estes in 1999, I climbed Longs 15 more times (I first climbed it by the Cables route in 1969!) by four more routes, and I also climbed all the 13ers in the Park, most by multiple routes. I have climbed Powell twice now, once by the route you describe over Flattop--it was a very dry, hot summer, and Andrews Glacier had developed a terrible crevasse--and the first time by climbing Andrews and heading over. It is a long hike for sure! Both ways. The first time I was able to sign a register on the summit, but the second time the cap had been unscrewed from the register and marmots had chewed up all the papers inside for the salt. Anyway, great hike, isn't it? I did both climbs solo, as most of my climbs have been done. I look forward to getting back into the Park and going back over those routes. Should bring back a lot of memories. Hope to see you in the area sometime!
Doug - hit me up next summer for sure if you're back here. I have at least 4 Park trips I'm planning to get in!
BT - where you at! thanks man. The Park is something special for sure. I appreciate the kind words!
Jeff - thanks buddy. I still like the time timestamps!
John - 14ers were so 2012. c'mon dude.
Dave B - thanks for the TR inspiration buddy!haha
Gendarm Steve - I would have even been able to keep up with you on this day!
Ben - me too man! It and the incredible pedal are staples in the fridge this month.
flyingmagpie - I'm going to send you a PM. Love the comment and thank you!
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