The Rocky Mountains of Colorado

San Juan Range and Sawatch Range

September 2008

Gilpin Peak, Colorado
13,694 Feet

This trip was a two-week journey to climb and Jeep as much as possible.  We started with the San Juan Range where we attempted Gilpin Peak, then did an easy hike up Red Mountain 1.  After the Ouray Jeep Jamboree, we climbed three 14ers...Mount Belford, Mount Oxford, and Mount Antero.  We were blessed with good weather and great scenery.  All in all, it was a great trip.



Jackie and two of our friends hike toward Blue Lakes Pass on our way to Gilpin Peak.  Mount Sneffels, a 14er which we climbed in July 2002, is on the right.



At the top of Blue Lakes Pass, we pose for a photo.  Unfortunately, the ice and snow prevented us (and the dogs) from completing our climb to the summit of Gilpin Peak.  Oh well, it was fun anyway.



Hiking down Yankee Boy Basin with Gilpin Peak in the background.



Alan hikes back toward the trailhead.  Later that afternoon, most of the snow had melted in Yankee Boy Basin.



The next day, we headed over to Corkscrew Gulch to climb Red Mountain.  This was our view of the basin from the summit.



Jackie nears the summit of Red Mountain #1.



After the Jeep Jamboree in Ouray, we headed over to the Sawatch Range to climb Mt. Belford and Mt. Oxford.  Mt. Belford is in the background of this photo.



Jackie heads up the ridge near the summit of Belford.



Alan and Scout break trail through the snow on Belford.



Mt. Belford and Mt. Oxford are separated by a ridge and climbed in the same day.  Here, Jackie descends Oxford to begin the ridge back to Belford.



Jackie begins the steep climb back up Belford before we can start our descent.



Finally headed back to the car as we spent 11 hours on the mountain with a total of 6000 ft of elevation gain.



The next day, we drove up the Mt. Antero four-wheel drive road.  This road takes you to 13,700 ft to almost the summit of Antero which can be seen in the center.



During a break in the drive, Scout checks out the scenery.



A steep series of switchbacks head up the side of Mt. Antero.



After driving to 13,700 feet on the Jeep road, a short 500-foot climb is needed to reach the summit of Antero.  Jackie is a red speck in the lower left.



Scout and Jackie arrive at the summit of Antero.  Salida, Colorado is in the valley below.



Mount Princeton as seen from the Antero Road.
The aspens were just beginning to turn yellow while we were there.

If travelling to the Colorado Rockies, a trip after Labor Day in September is highly recommended.  The tourists are mostly gone, the mosquitos are gone, and the weather is beautiful.  We got lucky and were blessed with perfect weather for almost the entire trip.

Check out www.SummitPost.org or www.14ers.com for information on climbing these great mountains.

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