Redcloud Peak Climb
Northeast Ridge from Silver Creek
Elevation - 14,034ft
Mountain Range - San Juan Mountains
Colorado Ranking - 46
July 24, 2011. It was time to head back to Colorado, and this time, Eric, Agust and I would be joined by my buddy Jason and his son Daniel, making his first attempt at climbing a Colorado 14er. It was good to have Jason back in the mountains with us, and we were very excited for Daniel! We woke up early on Saturday morning 7/24/11, stopped by and picked up Jason and Daniel. It was a long drive to Lake City, Colorado. Lake City is a small mountain town that actually used to be a part of Texas. We discovered this fact when we saw an old map in a restaurant in Lake City. After grabbing a bite to eat in town, we headed out to the trailhead to set up camp for the night. From Lake City, we drove about 2 miles south on Colorado 149 and turned right on County Road 30 toward Lake San Cristobal and Cinnamon Pass. From the start of the CO 30 road, it’s nearly 16 miles to the trailhead. Stay right near 11.8 miles. After 12.5 miles the road becomes rougher, and between 13 and 14.5 miles it’s a shelf road that hugs the south side of Sunshine Peak. Quite a view down from the shelf road to the valley WAY WAY BELOW!!! The next morning we ate a good breakfast and backpacked in following the Northeast Ridge trail. At around 11,300ft we crossed Silver Creek where we set up camp for the night just off an alternate trail that heads up to Sunshine Peak, the second peak we would be climbing. After another night on the mountain, we awoke to tackle Redcloud and Sunshine!!
Starting our camp fire at Redcloud trail head.
Hikerhayes, Eric, Daniel, and Jason on the trail to Redcloud.
Camp along the trail at about 11,300ft
Daniel and Jason building a fire
Eric along the trail above treeline
Eric doing his best Patty impersonation...
Final summit push!
Eric, August and I atop Redcloud Peakd 14,034ft!!
On the summit of Redcloud Peak with Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre Peaks in the background