Mount Sherman & Quandary Peak

[IntrepidXJ]

Friday - Sunday, July 5-7, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

My plans this weekend were to drive over to the Tenmile - Mosquito Range so that I could climb at least one 14er and hopefully a second one, too. I left work on Friday and headed east. A few hours later I had my campsite setup along Fourmile Creek just outside of Fairplay. I had a little time before dark, so I decided to drive up to the trailhead for Mount Sherman and check it out. Mount Sherman was my planned hike on Saturday morning.

When I arrived at the trailhead for Mount Sherman the distant storm was lit up by evening light.


Sunset Storm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

My Jeep parked at the trailhead. Normally the gate is closed and locked, but this time it was open...


Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A few wildflowers below my Jeep.


Flowers & Jeep by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It started to pour rain while I was up there. This photo was taken out my window in the storm.


In the Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As I drove back down to my campsite, I was treated to a little color in the sky.


Fourmile Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

That night it stormed on and off frequently with heavy rain, lightning and thunder. I didn't sleep very well, so it didn't help that I woke up at 4:00am to have a quick breakfast and start my hike to the top of 14,036' Mount Sherman. By this time the storms had stopped, but there were still plenty of darker clouds in the sky.

I was a little hesitant to start the hike with all the clouds in the sky this morning, but I did anyway...


Horseshoe Gulch Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As I approached the Hilltop Mine it was hidden in the clouds.


Hidden Hilltop Mine by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Not much of a view as I followed the ridge up to the summit.


Ridge into the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Disappear by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

However, when I did reach the summit of Mount Sherman the clouds did finally start to clear out and I was able to get a nice view.


Lifting Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I'm glad I decided to make the climb even though the conditions looked iffy.


Blowing Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A painted rock found near the summit.


Colorado Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Thin clouds were still drifting over the mountains when I started my hike back down.


In the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking back towards the peak and the ridge I had just descended.


Obscured Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

By the time I was almost back down to the trailhead most of the clouds had cleared out. You can see the Hilltop Mine and Mount Sherman above.


Mount Sherman by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I must say, Mount Sherman is probably the easiest 14er I have climbed to date. I was feeling pretty good when I got back down and knew I would be able to attempt another one on Sunday. I had hiked to the peak and back in about 3 hours, so it was still very early when I was done. I stopped in Fairplay for a quick breakfast/lunch and then made my way over to the Mosquito Pass Road so I could do a little exploring in my Jeep and search for some wildflowers. I was hoping I'd be able to make it over the pass to Leadville, but near the top there was a large snow drift that was still blocking the road, so I had to return the same way.

Driving into Mosquito Gulch.


Mosquito Gulch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I stopped along a small stream that was lined with wildflowers for a few photos.


Along the Stream by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Wildflowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Mosquito Flowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I took a short side trip to check out Oliver Twist Lake.


Oliver Twist Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The snow drift that prevented me from getting up to Mosquito Pass. There were a couple of guys on dirt bikes trying to get through.


Snow Drift by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Sunday morning I was up at 4:00am again and had my camp taken down and loaded into my Jeep in no time. I had a quick breakfast and was the first person at the trailhead for Quandary Peak by 5:15am. The weather was looking much better this morning for my climb up to the top of 14,265' Quandary Peak. I started the hike in the dark and got to watch the sunrise on the surrounding mountains as I hiked to the top. It was a great morning!

Following the trail to Quandary Peak above treeline before the sun makes an appearance.


Quandary Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Alpenglow on Wheeler Mountain and North Star Mountain above the Blue Lakes.


Looking Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunlight on the mountains above the Blue Lakes.


Blue Lakes Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Following the trail higher to the ridge.


Trail View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I passed these two mountain goats on my way up.


Mountain Goats by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The final ridge to the top of Quandary Peak.


Quandary Peak by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Almost there...


Final Climb by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here's a view from the top. I had the summit to myself, but I didn't stay long because it was very windy and cold!


Quandary View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I passed another group of Rocky Mountain Goats on my way back down the trail and this one posed perfectly for me.


Rocky Mountain View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The hike to the top of Quandary Peak was a bit tougher than Mount Sherman since it is a longer hike with more elevation gain, but I was feeling pretty good on the hike thanks to getting better acclimated to the elevation by hiking Mount Sherman the day before. It took my just under 3 hours to reach the summit, but that was with a lot of stops for photos along the way. It only took me an hour and a half to get back down to my Jeep. From there I headed back home to finish off the weekend, with only one stop at GRIND in Glenwood Springs for an excellent burger. It was another great weekend in the mountains!

>> Mount Sherman & Quandary Peak Photo Gallery

[Scott P]

Nice pictures. I've climbed both of those mountains twice each, but always in the snow season (November 2013-Quandary, December 2006-Sherman, January 2013-Sherman, and February 2006-Quandary). The summer photos look like they were taken from completely different mountains than the Quandary and Sherman that has been burned into my memory. Your photos give me an entirely different perspective.

[IntrepidXJ]

One day I'd like to try a 14er in the winter...but I don't think I'm ready for that yet :)

[Eric Holden]

Awesome photos, that mountain goat really did want his picture on the cover of some magazine.

[peakbaggers]

Awesome photos, that mountain goat really did want his picture on the cover of some magazine.

Goats in the Colorado Front Range area have become fairly use to people, aree not shy and seem to want to have their picture taken. In the attched photo, people often ask us if this was a telephoto shot. Heck no - these goats walked right up to us, no more than 6 - 8 feet away looking for a handout, like something salty to eat or lick.

Randy - your photos are always sharp, clear and the color is always spot on. We need to meet up some time since we both live in GJ.

[Wasatch]

Very nice. I've done a few 14ers back in 2003, maybe I will go back again someday soon.