Centennials 13,811 and 13,832

Total Time: 7 hours and 25 seconds. Mileage: 12.5

This isn’t much of a trip report, but I thought someone might be able to use the information.

I first heard of these two peaks at a 14ers Fall Gathering in 2011. A group was heading for them while others were just hitting the 14ers. One of the people in the group was making a big deal out of it the night before at the campfire, as if they were traversing to an untouchable peak that the rest of us couldn’t achieve. Talk of no trail and a bushwhack down to a car shuttle they strategically placed that afternoon.

Granted at that time, I was still a beginner and didn’t know what to make of it other than it seemed like a big day in the mountains. (not that the Redcloud / Sunshine combo didn't have the same basic stats)

Over the years I have heard others talk of this route. And usually the word “slog” is used to describe it. No wonder my opinions of these two peaks were tainted.

Well, I didn’t think it was a slog or some special ops mission.

Most of you have probably hiked Redcloud and so you’re familiar with the beautiful valley that leads to the 13,000-foot saddle. Instead of turning right to Redcloud, just turn left and follow the ridge.

There is a trail. At times it’s faint. At times it’s great. Where there is no trail, the destination is obvious. Just hike towards the summits.

I probably did this a bit backwards, as I hit the farthest peak first, Pt. 13, 811. I figured if the weather that was coming, got here faster than expected, I could at least get this one and rush down. Making it easier to come back and grab the closer peak, 13,832 next time, maybe with a Redcloud combo. Honestly, I don’t know if that helped my time and pace or not. I think the gradual elevation gain on this hike makes it enjoyable and fairly easy.

After the Redcloud saddle, the trail moves below a couple high points before opening up to the peaks. I stayed on the trail, to the right, below the ridge all the way to the low point before 13,811. Than hiked up the grassy and soft dirt slope to the summit. Spent about 10 minutes on top and headed back. I was on and off that summit in 4 hours from the time I left the TH.

I took a bit more of a direct route to the high point of 13,632 that sits between the two Centennials. You can surely skip this point and save some time and elevation. But the views from the point of the northern rocky slopes are pretty nice and I think are worth that extra effort.

On my way back toward 13,832 I stayed on the main trail instead of a direct line to the summit. There is a cairn at the high point of the trail, maybe 100 feet below the 13,832 summit. That’s when I left the trail and worked my way to the top. Spent a few minutes taking photos and then took a direct line off the ridge back toward the main trail and route back to Redcloud. I was the only person on this route. I spoke to a few people on the way back down the valley.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative doing some trail work just above treeline! CFI is awesome.

One potential negative I can come up with for this trail, some people might consider it long. Just pick good days for these types of routes. Cool summer mornings when the wildflowers are out. Or maybe the crisp fall days where you can see the golden aspens below. I get the “slog” mentality. There are ways to relieve that like a sunrise hike.

But the only true negative about this route… sharing the trailhead with a busy 14er. Car alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m. Doors slamming after that. Vehicles approaching and parking. Dogs barking. I got up a little earlier than expected. But I was down before the rain hit. Got to the Jeep, opened the cooler and the first crack of thunder boomed above. The rain came moments later.

I got a few sprinkles below treeline, but nothing of significance. There were lots of people, including children, on the trail above treeline when the rains hit. Those clouds were building all morning. You could see rain early to the west. One mom and a daughter were just coming out of treeline heading up when I passed them. They asked about the distance to the summit. And then there were the two young ladies I spoke with earlier that morning that had a cardboard sign that read “Handies.” Yep, they were on the wrong trail. I told them their dog didn’t care and that they should have a good laugh and a good day. But also told them to be more careful next time as a wrong trail could turn into a bad situation quickly.