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I didn't see any reports about Grizz in winter, so thought I would share this one. This was a route that I noticed from across the valley on Lakawanna. I didn't know anything about it, which is the way I like it. It worked well as a day trip, but would also work as an overnight with a camp in upper Graham Gulch. Just beware of heading up this valley if avy danger is elevated. The walls on each side of the valley are steep, especially the west side.
Trailhead: Graham Gulch, off of east side of Indy Pass Road...short road to a large parking area next to a water diversion thingy...trail starts on the right side of the creek
Route: Graham Gulch on approach, East Ridge of Grizzly, West Ridge of Ouray
Mileage: 13 miles
Elevation Gain: 5081 feet
I was surprised to find a pretty well-defined trail with signs of ski traffic from the trailhead to treeline.
I did make one navigation error in the dark at this trail junction. I followed ski tracks up the right fork, heading towards the valley under 13,198. I noticed my error on the gps and had to go up an over a ridge to get back on the right track.
Nothing raises my spirits more than the morning light after walking in the dark.
Here is the view after breaking out of the trees. The next objective was to gain the ridge on the right. Under these snow conditions, it was not difficult to find a safe line.
The unknown part of this day was going to be the initial section of Grizzly's East Ridge. From Lakawanna, you can clearly see some towers. I had no idea if it would be possible to skirt around them, so I brought a rope just in case. Once I saw this view, I knew it would be at least possible to drop down and climb snow on the north side of the ridge. I stashed shoes, rope, and some other non-essentials and continued up to the ridge.
View of the ridge from the intersection with Ouray Peak's West Ridge...the first tower is bypassed with a short, steep snow climb on the left
View from the top of the first tower.
The ridge turned out to be a lot of fun. I stayed on top of the ridge for most of it, just dropping to the left a couple of times. Here are some pictures of the more interesting sections on the descent...
Couldn't stop staring at this line up the center of Grizzly's East Face. Why isn't this the Grizzly Couloir?
Final section of ridge to the summit of Grizzly
Summits for Shylah and my Brooke, Ben and Shylah cairns
Trying to get my feet above 14,000'
Looking back at the east ridge
I had to go back to my stash before heading over to Ouray Peak, so I dropped back down into the valley and then climbed up to the west ridge. Red = ascent, Green = rock crux, Yellow = descent
Here is a look at the 4th / low 5th class rock section on the ridge
Summit of Ouray Peak
On the way down, I tried to cut the mountain in half with ass.
Now for my batman story. The night before I was in the back of my jeep, getting ready for bed. A car pulled into the lot moving pretty fast. The lot is the end of the road, so I was wondered where he thought he was going...and then, he was gone. I got my headlamp out and took a look around. I figured I must have not seen a continuation of the road beyond the parking lot. Nope, no other road. The only possible place he could have gone was into the water diversion via this ramp. This was directly to the right of my car...in the direction he was driving.
I walked down the ramp and the water is only 3 or 4 inches deep, but there is no way anyone would drive down here. Once in the water, the only option would be to drive down toward and through a narrow tunnel. I convinced myself he must have turned around I just didn't notice. When I got back to my car the next day, it was my first chance to see the scene of the crime in the light. Now I could clearly see tracks going down the ramp. And there is no way the car could have turned around without stopping to reverse. So until someone is able to explain it to me, I'm going with...BAT CAVE!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Saw footprints up on the ridge Sunday and instantly knew they had to be yours, who the hell else would be up there this time of year?!
I was shocked to see how thin the snow cover was on those north facing slopes you used to gain the ridge. We went the long way up McNasser Gulch from the La Plata TH expecting dryish south facing slopes to access the ridge via more or less the standard route... they were holding a lot more snow than expected but we still found a safe line. Wish I'd gotten a peek at the northern approach beforehand, woulda made for a shorter day!
Thanks for sharing Mike, looks like a fun route on an interesting ridge.
As for the Bat Cave, apparently people live up Lincoln Creek near Grizzly Reservoir year round and actually drive the diversion tunnel in winter to get to their homes. Would sketch me out wondering if I would get flooded out any second, but I have heard from another site member that they talked to someone who lived up there about it before and sure enough people drive it. Found this video on You Tube, couldn't get the link to work, try copy paste:
Nice report, Mike, glad this one worked out for you. I was up there overnight Tuesday just below McNasser Gulch, planned to go in yesterday but had a ski binding malfunction (go figure, the bindings are 23 years old...), limped out but ended up booting it the last mile after the binding completely self destructed. Anyway, solid work, congrats on getting this one.
Mike, I tried Grizz in winter a couple of years back from the LaPlata TH. Couldn't figure out how to gain the saddle safely without getting pummeled so called it. Nice work out there man. I bet a headstand on those cairns would have gotten you another 6 feet. Pagosa Peak is calling...
So I guess there's easier springtime access for the Griz Couly. I do agree that E line looks so much better. The top looked kind of mixed technical one May, but looks pretty filled in now.
Great trip report and quality pictures of the adventure! Big effort in getting a sweet Centennial summit! Looks like quite a spectacular mountain outing. Good stuff, congrats! Nice accomplishment in mountaineering
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