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"...
Eagle Peak (13,205') Partner(s): Susan Paul Trailhead: Approx. 8,700'/3/4 miles past Rainbow Trail Camp Distance: Approx. 11.50 miles Elevation Gain: Approx. 4,700'
The weekend weather reports were bleak; however I thought we might have a chance to make it up a cool looking 13er in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
To get to Eagle Peak we headed southwest on Hwy 115 to Hwy 50, then west to Hwy 67, then south on Hwy 67 to the town of Hillside. From there we located CR198 and drove west to about ¾ mile past Rainbow Trail Camp. The road was pretty rocky and slick with fresh snow. Even though it was just 10 degrees, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and within 10 minutes we were already down to our base layers. What a great day for a climb!!
Eagle Peak (second peak from left) as we drive up CR198 toward Rainbow Trail Camp.
Eagle Peak from along CR198.
We followed the road for about 3.5 miles to Rainbow Lake. The snow up to this point was excellent as it supported our weight quite nicely with snowshoes, with only the top several inches being powdery from the recent storm(s).
Eagle Peak from Rainbow Lake.
From the lake we left the road and contoured around its north side and hit a saddle to the east of the lake to start the very exhausting ~600 foot, steep climb through the trees, with many large snow drifts in route.
After plowing through all that snow, we were happy to finally break tree line. Susan graciously offered to break trail - on the way down.
Once on top of the ridge it became much easier and pretty straight forward. Noting the spindrift rising in the distance, we donned shells and facemasks, and traded our glacier glasses for goggles, before continuing southwest toward the summit.
Eagle Peak northeast ridge.
Nearing the first steep bump along the ridge to summit Eagle Peak.
As we neared the final summit ridge the nice tundra gave way to tedious talus, it started to snow, the wind picked up, and visibility dropped to nothing.
Working up the first steep bump as the weather moves in.
Looking down the northeast ridge with Rainbow Lake below.
Above the first steep bump in the ridge we could finally see the summit a short distance away along a sometimes narrow, heavily corniced ridge.
The final summit ridge.
The weather started to clear quite nicely as we neared the summit allowing for wonderful views!!
The final steps to the summit.
Me on the summit.
Congrats on a hard-earned summit Susan!!
Looking southwest with the cool looking connecting ridge to Thirsty Peak.
A few panoramas from the summit:
Looking southeast toward Spread Eagle Peak (13,423' - center) and Electric Peak (13,598' - far right).
Looking south toward Electric Peak (just left of center) and Lakes Peak (13,375' - far right).
Looking southwest toward Lakes Peak (left), Thirsty Peak (13,213 - center), and Point 13,123 (far right).
Looking south-southwest toward Point 13,123 (left) and Cottonwood Peak (13,588' - center).
Looking northwest.
Looking north.
The wonderful descent. Want to go hiking again? Like next week
Thanks again Susan for joining me on yet another trip since I greatly enjoyed your company.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
EatinHardtack - Well it depends on what elevation you are talking about. If you are talking 13ers and higher its nothing to boast about since this would be my 3rd 13er, however if you count everything its 57 ranked peaks or 67 if you count the unranked too. I think I might break 100 this year.
...of my hiking muscles. Those heavy squats are really starting to pay off - they‘re HUGE. Thanks again for a great day in the mountains Doug!
Zach - Thanks, we‘ve been hitting up the county highpoints and El Paso county summits all year, but we‘ll be making up for that over the next few weeks - as long as the roads are clear and the avy danger is low (or avoidable, as it was on this peak). See‘ya out there!
of Susan in her sports bra? That‘s my favorite part of your reports!
I was on Yale Sunday (same day) with Bigtrout. He climbed the majority of the day in his sports bra (his wife won‘t let him wear it at home) and Cooper climbed naked car-to-car.
Looks like some brutal weather, way to fight through it! The ridge to Thirsty is fun, a little loose in places. Kiefer and I did that traverse back in October.
Nice write up and TR Doug. Congrats to both susan and you on yet another peak, how many is that this year already?
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.
