Uncompahgre (14,307') 3-36-2007

[mtnbikerskierchick]

Uncompahgre (14,307ft)
3-26-2007
Goldenboy, mtnbikerskierchick, non-mag Scott

Uncompahgre is one of the most prominent peaks in the San Juans. Being the tallest peak in the San Juans, it stands out boldly from the rest and can be viewed from miles and miles away. The first surveyors to visit the peak found that Grizzly Bears frequented the peak often. The peak itself is named after the nearby river named Uncompahgre, which is a Ute word meaning hot water spring.

Having suffered a week of terrible sickness, I admit I wasn’t totally in the mood to hit a fourteener. I was on my way to kicking the icky stuff away, but definitely was not anywhere near 100%. Unfortunately, this week is the week for the March storms. A window was opening on Monday, and we had to take it. So, we did.

Initially, we’d hoped that we could take a sled through the road closure gates on Hensen Road to reach the Matterhorn TH. This would make for an easy 14er climb and descent. Just what we needed after a week of being sick. But we got there and found out that the gate was closed, and there was no snow to be seen anywhere near either side of the gate. The next plan was to drive as far as we could up Nellie Creek Rd to access that trailhead. We made it about half a mile up the road before a snow bank stopped us. Had we been able to get through this snow bank, we could have made it at least another mile up dry road. Instead, we parked the car and began our ascent at 9,400 ft instead of the 11,000+ feet we were initially hoping for.

Goldenboy hiking on the road


The road was dry for about another half of a mile, and then slowly began to have intermittent snow. The snow had frozen well the night before so we were able to walk over the snow easily. At the fork in the road (2 miles from the beginning of the Nellie Creek Rd) there was enough snow to warrant putting on our skins.

Sign showing the entrance of the summer trailhead. Why Wilderness allows grazing of farm animals but no mountain biking will always puzzle me.



It’s amazing how things always seem better once you get a view of the mountain you’re about to climb



Scott skinning with Uncompahgre in the background.



We approached Uncompahgre from the east, and then ascended the south ridge. We used skins most of the way except for a short rocky bit. Scott hiking with Wetterhorn (another 14er) in the background.



Nearing the ridge



At the summit I found goldenboy leaning over the edge of the thousand-foot cliff.



Why? He wanted to take pictures. Here’s a couple from that.

Looking down the cliff.



And across the cliff.


The summit was beautiful! It was barely windy and we were hanging out quite comfortably in long-sleeve shirts! And, of course, being on top of a 14er you get some of the best views imaginable. The San Juans are some of Colorado’s most amazing mountains.



Sneffels



Wilson group



Looking toward Sunshine and Redcloud



Of course you have to take a summit shot!



Goldenboy ready to ski




Skiing through the rock field off the summit.



It got even more rocky along the way.



Then it opened up into wonderful snow! A note about the snowpack- we were initially concerned about wet slides and our timing (due to the change of plans we were later than we wanted to be) because most of the approach was east-facing. However, we found the snowpack to be very stable. Despite blazing heat, we saw no hints of wet slide activity, not even snow balls rolling off of east aspects, or any other aspect for that matter. The day or two before it had snowed a couple of inches, leaving a nice layer of heavy cream on top of solid snow.

Scott tearing it up.









Mtnbikerskierchick







Goldenboy











Scott blazing through the gully with Uncompahgre behind him.



On the hike down the road back to the car, it was impossible not to notice this beautiful mountain, beckoning with wonderful lines!



Another beautiful day, another great fourteener. We finished off the day with dinner in Lake City, where they evidently close the restaurants at 7 pm this time of year, so plan on eating dinner early!!!

[iskibc]

March 36, 2007



The maggot 14er project is moving right along by the looks of it. Uncompahgre is a cool looking mountain.

Wetterhorn looks good to go. Nice stoke.

[mtnbikerskierchick]

Yep, didn't you know there's 36 days in the month of March? (Ooops! Oh well!)

[KillingCokes]

Looks like some fun was had for sure. Thanks for the info on the 7pm restaurant closure. 3-36-2007 Does this mean Dawson won't recognize

[iskibc]

Yep, didn't you know there's 36 days in the month of March? (Ooops! Oh well!)

It must be a leap year or something.

[lemon boy]

[mtnbikerskierchick]

It must be a leap year or something.

It's an extra extra extra extra extra leap year

[HikeforTurns]

Killer! After reading the maggot 14er quest thread, I was wondering if anyone would be hitting up Uncompahgre this season. Excellent choice! Im a little dissapointed you guys didnt base jump though.

[IridePow]

Nice TR B!!!


What crazy things we just all do for an official summit descent.

It got even more rocky along the way.

This looks a lot better:

Again

[KillingCokes]

Were you able to get a look at the west face route. Was there snow on it?

[powstash]

Uncompahgre (14,307ft)
Looking down the cliff.

BASE jump anyone?

Nice work. The pink pants are becoming synonymous with slaying it!

[MakersTeleMark]

Hawtness! Full throttle on those snowfields looks like absolute bliss.

[couloirman]

very nice TR, some good looking mountains down there. Cant wait to make it down there myself

[Pow4Brains]

Just tickin’ em off, you guys have been KILLIN’ it!!! Great TR MBSC. Working on the natural stone grind eh?

[Rontele]

why didn't goldenboy consider hucking that? Nice work and glad you are feeling better, B.

[Griz]

Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to detail your TRs- appreciate the beautiful pics and the histrorical quips! I always wondered if "Uncompahgre" was a native American origin.

[GoldMember]

Well done! Looks like a beautiful day in a great place.......I hate work!

[StroupSkier]

Why not just use a dirt bike?

[jrbd]

Look like a nice (if long) day. That cliff dropping from the summit is truly awesome; I ate lunch about two feet from that spot once, leaning over and looking down every few seconds just for the thrill. It's just so....vertical! And it's literally within a few feet of the absolute top.

[Ireallyliketoski2]

Beautiful, one more down another more to go.

[road trip]

At the summit I found goldenboy leaning over the edge of the thousand-foot cliff.

Why? He wanted to take pictures.

Okay, I actually got a little queezy in the stomach with that!

Great TR!

[stihletto]

good job brittany, goldenboy, and scott.

[jrbd]

Okay, I actually got a little queezy in the stomach with that!

Great TR!

If it makes you any more comfortable, I think it's really only 700 feet straight down, not 1000.

[summit]

cool! that is one 14er i've wanted to do. it looks interesting to me!

[jon turner]

kickass.. i've been wanting to get down to wetterhorn and uncompahgre soon. but massive must come first.

good work.