Ascent of Saddleback Mountain on 2017-06-04| Other People: | Solo Ascent
Only Party on Mountain | | Date: | Sunday, June 4, 2017 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Motorized Transport to Trailhead: | Car | | Peak: | Saddleback Mountain | | Location: | USA-Colorado | | Elevation: | 9568 ft / 2916 m |
Ascent Trip ReportThis TH is located in an interesting place. There are several signs leading you to the TH but the bottom line is that Clear Creek County and "Great Outdoors Colorado" and the Colorado Lottery set this trail for public use. The TH can ONLY park 2 cars no more. The TH is found at the hairpin curve of Sugarloaf Ridge Drive.
The trail is fairly well marked and very steep (class 1+) got my heart beating for an early morning start. The top of the summit has only moderate views but I enjoyed seeing the aspen, ponderosa pine, and fir. This is a nice early season pre-acclimation hike to elevation 9500. A nice benefit is this trail allows you to take your dog for a quick summit and it is right off I-70. I saw a mule deer at the summit. Temperature was 50F in the morning and 53F back at the car.
One last note...there is an alternate loop down at the top and a small alternate loop at the bottom. But the turn offs for each alternate trail was inconspicuous. I only saw the one near the top once I had passed it coming down. The one at the bottom I stumbled on to without even realizing I was on an alternate trail. |
| Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 768 ft / 234 m | | Round-Trip Distance: | 1.4 mi / 2.3 km | | Grade/Class: | 1+ steep | | Quality: | 4 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Maintained Trail | | Weather: | Pleasant, Calm, Clear
51F | | Ascent Statistics | | Gain on way in: | 768 ft / 234 m | | Distance: | 0.7 mi / 1.1 km | | Route: | see TR | | Start Trailhead: | parking lot 8800 ft / 2682 m | | Descent Statistics | | Distance: | 0.7 mi / 1.1 km | Ascent Part of Trip: Denver-7
Complete Trip Sequence:
Total Trip Gain: 6542 ft / 1994 m Total Trip Loss: 4166 ft / 1270 m |
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