Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Handies Peak | My First 14er

  1. #1

    Handies Peak | My First 14er

    One of the goals I set for myself this year was to hike a 14er. Yesterday morning two friends and I hopped into my Jeep and headed down to the San Juan Mountains to try Handies Peak. Handies Peak is 14,048 feet high and ranked 40th out of the 53 14ers in Colorado. I chose this mountain because it's relatively close to home, but mainly because it is one of the easier trails to the top of a 14er. From American Basin the trail is only 5.5 miles round trip with about 2500 feet of elevation gain.

    Since we were in my Jeep, we headed south to Animas Forks via Silverton and headed over Cinnamon Pass to reach American Basin. We ended up starting the hike a little later than we had planned, but we did end up reaching the summit by around noon. There were a number of dark clouds forming around us when we reached the top, but luckily we only had a few sprinkles of rain fall on us during our descent. I definitely struggled a little from the saddle to the peak, but am happy to report that I did make it all the way to the top :)

    Here's a few photos from our climb.

    Handies Peak towers above my Jeep in American Basin before we get started.


    Hiking to the top




    Andrew


    Me.




    Andrew and the trail ahead


    Climbing above Sloan Lake
    Randy Langstraat
    ADVENTR.CO | Anasazi Photography

  2. # ADS
    Circuit advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many
     

  3. #2
    View from the saddle




    Almost to the summit


    Andrew at the summit


    Great views from the top


    Jim taking a photo of me


    High above Sloan Lake....a storm in the background


    Randy Langstraat
    ADVENTR.CO | Anasazi Photography

  4. #3
    Me at the summit


    Jim was happy to make it to the top




    Sea of Peaks


    We all signed the log


    With dark clouds around us, but clear skies above, we headed back down quickly....just in case.



    We made a stop at Sloan Lake on our way down
    Randy Langstraat
    ADVENTR.CO | Anasazi Photography

  5. #4
    The storms missed us and the skies started clearing again...looking back up at Handies Peak.




    Back at the Jeep in American Basin


    On our way back to Silverton we took the route over California Pass and Hurricane Pass.

    California Pass




    Lake Como below.


    When we reached Silverton, we stopped at Handlebars for some dinner before heading back home. We had a great time and accomplished something we had all wanted to do. Now I need to prepare for my next 14er....whichever one that will be....
    Randy Langstraat
    ADVENTR.CO | Anasazi Photography

  6. #5
    you are so close to several of them. sneffels from the camp bird mine road is pretty easy, if you like ice climbing sneffels also has a nice moderate couloir on the north side, that is a lot of fun in the late spring. uncompaghre is an easy one as well.

    really enjoyed the photos.
    But if I agreed with you, we would both be wrong.

  7. #6
    Thanks!

    The next one's I will probably try are Sunshine and Redcloud....before I would try Sneffels & Uncompahgre.

    Quote Originally Posted by denaliguide View Post
    you are so close to several of them. sneffels from the camp bird mine road is pretty easy, if you like ice climbing sneffels also has a nice moderate couloir on the north side, that is a lot of fun in the late spring. uncompaghre is an easy one as well.

    really enjoyed the photos.
    Randy Langstraat
    ADVENTR.CO | Anasazi Photography

  8. #7
    Love that American Basin area and I hope to climb Handies someday as well
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  9. #8
    Beautiful! Great TR!

  10. #9
    Congratulations! Keep it up! (TRs and 14er's)
    It is good that warriors such as we meet in the struggle of life... or death. It shall be life. - Ten Bears, "The Outlaw Josie Wales"

  11. #10
    That looks way cool. I have certainly had CO on my mind lately. Lotta outdoor potential among other things. My sister just mover there last year...


Similar Threads

  1. Winter ascent of a Colorado 14er Feb 27-28
    By Scott P in forum Climbing, Caving & Mountaineering
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-03-2009, 07:00 PM
  2. [Trip Report] Monument Peak - TR
    By Mtnman1830 in forum Hiking, Scrambling & Peak Bagging
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-15-2008, 04:36 PM
  3. [Trip Report] Grandeur Peak TR and sledding off the peak
    By tmartenst in forum Hiking, Scrambling & Peak Bagging
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 03-20-2008, 10:40 PM
  4. [Trip Report] Peak Baggin' in Zion with Courtney - Destination Peak
    By tanya in forum Hiking, Scrambling & Peak Bagging
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 12-31-2007, 03:46 PM
  5. [Trip Report] Francis Peak/Bountiful Peak
    By shlingdawg in forum Offroad 4x4, Side by Side and ATV
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-20-2005, 04:46 PM

Visitors found this page by searching for:

handies peak trip report

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •