Shrine Mountain East

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation: 11,100 ft - 11,888 ft
Elevation Gain: 788 ft (net), 1,135 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Off leash
Bathroom at the Trailhead: Yes
Date Hiked: 16 June 2012
Tags: #coloradooutdoors, #vail, #travel, #hiking, #tundra, #wildflowers
Nearby Trails: Shrine Mountain, Wilder Gulch, Ptarmigan Pass

A hiker lounges on Shrine Ridge.  Just another ghastly day in paradise!

Shrine Mountain near Vail, Colorado is perhaps one of the most scenic hikes in the whole state. This area has eye-popping views of two mountain ranges plus carpets of wildflowers in late summer. Shrine Mountain exist on a long east/west ridge. To the west is Shrine Mountain proper. This post covers a hike to the east.

Mt. Holy Cross from the saddle

Looking at our destination,  the green hill in the distance,  from the saddle.  You can't quite tell from this picture, but there are two approaches.  This trail will lead you along the right hand side of the ridge.  On the return, we came back over the middle.  Both are nice. 

Part of the route passes by crumbling rocks 

Green meadows and blue skies...how miserable! 

Alpine Sunflowers

I won't repeat my earlier discussion on how to get to the trailhead or how to get the ridge.  Please review my previous post on Shrine Mountain for those details and return here.

Destination in sight

Looking east from a perch on the ridge

Large cairn on the summit ridge

Looking at the trail as it continues on to Wilder Gulch

Once you cross the snowfield and reach the ridge, you can go right to Shrine Mountain and "Aircraft Carrier Rock" or go left and up along the ridge itself.  This latter route is all in the tundra and the views just keep getting better.  If you are a flatlander,  you should be able to do this hike unless your idea of fitness is a vigorous game of bingo.  Just remember that breathing is not optional.  Stop and suck wind  as required.  

Chipmunk

Heading back along an upper route which will take us to that small promitory

Interesting rock formations and stunted Sub-alpine Firs 

Heading back to the saddle

So what do you do when you reach the apex of the ridge?  Well, you can continue on until the intersection with Wilder Gulch and make day of it or like me you can lounge about thinking of all the poor slobs in the world who have had to pay big bucks to travel to Colorado.

Looking at Shrine Mountain.  If the weather is nice, don't hesitate to head in that direction.  It will only add a mile to your trip. 

Ptarmigan Pass (Sawatch Range)

Distance: 7.8 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,662 ft - 11,765 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,142 ft (net) 1,408 ft (cum)
Date Hiked: 2 July 2015
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Dogs: Off leash
Tags: #coloradooutdoors #mountainpass #tundra #nature #hiking, #gearguide
Nearby Trails: Shrine Mountain, Shrine Mountain East

Looking southwest from Ptarmigan Pass near Vail

 A hike to scenic Ptarmigan Pass (the one near Vail) is an easy add on to the Wilder Gulch Trail (view post for all the details). Wilder Gulch travels three miles up a lush, open valley, and dead ends into Forest Service Road 747. From this point it is a short 0.9 miles (~500 ft gain) up (to the left) the road to the top of the pass. The only downside is the volume of 4x4 vehicles that can sometimes mare the otherwise serene experience.

Heading up the road to the false summit

Looking up at Ptarmigan Hill from the road

Looking down on the pass from off to the right. Several 4x4's are visible

The road itself curves sharply in several places, is unsurprising very rocky and wet, and has at least one false summit. But don't let that deter you. The views are worth it.

The right side of the pass is strewn with rocks that make for a great lunch spot.

Looking back down the road towards Wilder Gulch

Once on the pass, travel to the right and lounge amongst the rocks for a vehicle free view of the Holy Cross Wilderness. You can also "pop" (0.5 miles) up to the top of Ptarmigan Hill at 12,143 ft. Unfortunately, on this trip a large, ominous cloud was building over the peak, so we did not ascend further and did not linger on the pass for too long.

Tenderfoot

Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,256 ft - 9,821 ft
Elevation Gain: 565 ft
Dogs: Off Leash
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Tags: #dillon, #lakedillon, #summitcounty, #hiking, #coloradooutdoors

The easy Tenderfoot trail offers stunning views of Lake Dillon

The Tenderfoot Trail near Dillon Colorado is a short but scenic outing up a west-facing hillside with "living the dream" views of both Lake Dillon and the Tensile Range. It is great as an after work doggie outing or an early morning stroll before the heat of the day.

The water treatment facility entrance near the parking lot

The road just as it exits the Water Treatment Facility

A first glimpse of Lake Dillon and Peak One in the Tenmile Range

A sure sign of fall in Summit County are the Rose Hips. 

Approaching the official trailhead

To get to the trail, head up highway 6 going to Dillon from Silverthorne. At the last stop light on the top of the hill (Lutheran Church on the left) take a left and then an IMMEDIATE right onto Road 51. A short distance up this road is a large, fenced complex for construction vehicles. On the right, as the road begins to climb, is a small parking area. There is a small sign pointing out the spot. Above the parking area is the Dillon Water Treatment Facility. The route actually starts on that property, so don't be confused.

Close up of the trailhead

Looking south along the rolling hills

Heading upwards

A dirt road exits the facility and heads southward along a now clear cut hillside. Around 0.25 miles is the official trailhead with an obvious U.S. Forest Service sign. From this point the trail heads upwards along the dry slopes of Tenderfoot Mountain.

Yellow Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) is a late blooming plant that often grows near Sagebrush

A trail segment near a clear cut area

Looking north at the Gore Range

Sagebrush, and Yellow Rabbitbrush dominate the flora for most of the route. Lodgepole pine and Aspen make a showing as well as Lupine in the summer.

Views of Lake Dillon abound on this trail

A Lodgepole segment

Grasshopper identification is not easy. 

An Aspen segment with Lake Dillon in the distance

Looking north from the final bench at 1.25 miles

The end of the trail sign at 1.35 miles

Close up of some Yellow Rabbitbrush

Here are some milestones: 0.69 miles to the first bench, 0.90 miles to a power line tower on the left, 1.25 miles to a final bench, and 1.35 miles to an official "end of the trail" sign.

South Boulder Peak via Shadow Canyon

Trail Length: 6.7 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,645 ft - 8,549 ft
Elevation Gain: 3,039 ft
Critters: Mountain Blue Birds

Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes

Dogs: Off leash with OSMP voice and sight tag

Date Hiked: March 2008
Tags: #boulder, #osmp, #peak, #hiking, #coloradooutdoors

Looking north towards Green Mountain from the summit of South Boulder Peak 

Climbing to the summit of South Boulder Peak in Boulder, Colorado is an arduous adventure that is like climbing a 14er without the altitude. The lower part of the route is on dirt trails, but the last half is up the slopes of Shadow Canyon, a rock filled gorge that will require some route finding and rock scrambling skills.

Note in 2013, a small fire on the top of the peak burnt most of the trees on the summit as well as the saddle below. 

Heading up the Homestead Trail

The ascent via Shadow Canyon begins at the Eldorado Canyon/Mesa Trail trailhead. The hiker can ascend the Homestead, Towee, or Mesa Trails to the base of Shadow Canyon. This trip we chose the Homestead trail because it was a bit steeper (for maximum pain) and dogs are allowed on it off leash.

The Homestead Trail briefly intersects the Towee trail before it runs into the fire road, near the ruins of the Debacker cabin that leads Shadow Canyon. The road switch backs upwards and in its final curve to the north, dead-ends at the base of the canyon itself near the ruins of the Stockton Cabin with its large section of water pipe. This is where the trail gets interesting.

A typical trail segment in Shadow Canyon.  Narrow, rocky,  and straight up. 

From this point on, the route ascends upwards 1,620 ft in one roughly one mile. The trail is dark with pine, encrusted with boulders and scree, and poorly defined. In early spring, the trail can be covered in a mix of snow and black ice. 

There are no views per say in the canyon itself except for glimpse of the Devil’s Thumb along the right wall about a third of the way up, and of valley below from the switch backs that start about two thirds of the way up. The saddle itself is flat and covered in more Ponderosa and Lodgepole pine. 

One of the only viewpoints on the trail

From the saddle, you can go to the east and ascend and additional 281 ft in 0.3 miles to Bear Peak or head to the west and ascend an additional 369 ft in 0.2 miles to South Boulder Peak. The summit is a small scree field with lots of nooks and crannies. The views from the peak are expansive but watch out for storm clouds, which have a habit of building on top of these peaks. 

South Table Mountain...Quaker Rd Approach

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,890 ft - 6,343 ft
Elevation Gain: 453 ft (net), 700 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash (until Jefferson County takes over)
Date Hiked: April 8, 2012
Tags: #Golden, #JeffersonCountyOpenSpace, #travel, #hiking

Castle Rock comes into view on South Table Mountain

Terrain map of South Table Mountain showing the location of the Colorado State Forestry building where you can park on weekends.

For those who travel to Golden, Colorado there is nothing better than spending an afternoon strolling across the sun drenched expanses of South Table Mountain (or North Table Mountain for that matter).  This post describes the jaunt across South Table Mountain to Castle Rock from the south starting at the intersection of Quaker Street and Golden Hills Road.  I have also hiked to the top from the east up the "Laubahn Trail".  The route in this post is longer and more gradual while the Laubahn route is straight up the side for shorter, heart-pumping experience.

Starting out the trail that parallels Quaker Street

Initial meadow where they plan to build a parking lot.  Two trails head up to the top of the mesa.

There is one thing you should know before heading out to South Table Mountain.  The area is crisscrossed with social trails, none of them marked.  If wandering about and possibly taking the wrong route is something that fills you will joy, then this trail is for you.  On the other hand if uncertainty fills you with dread, choose North Table Mountain, its trails are well marked. 

The route will head towards the power line tower in the upper left and then turn right following the power lines northwards.

Spring brings flowers to the shrubs

Parking in Golden is always a challenge, but for this route, on the weekend at least, you can park in the parking lot of the Colorado State Department of Forestry at 1504 Quaker Street.  During the week you will have to fight to find street parking.  The area is residential and the locals don't appreciate their driveways being blocked by visitors.

Passing the trail at 1.3 miles leading off the mesa to the Rim Rock neighborhood.  Don't take this left.

Prickly Pear Cactus dominates some of the drier patches.

From the parking lot the route heads up Quaker Street, which after crossing Golden Hills Road, turns to dirt and continues cross the mesa.  There is a foot path that parallels the road just to the west.  We decided to take this since it is more natural.   This path quickly dumps into a small depression with several trails crossing it.  Jefferson County has purchased South Table Mountain and plans to turn it into a formalized Open Space.  The county plans to put the parking lot in this depression since it is convenient to city streets and relatively flat.  This is unfortunate, since this small meadow is rather attractive.

At 1.8 miles Castle Rock can now be seen in the distance.

Approaching Castle Rock

The route across South Table Mountain is relatively flat with a few mild ups and downs.  It traverses open grassland spotted with shrubbery, Prickly Pear Cactus, and power lines.  The views are urban, with most of Golden being visible from above.  To get to Castle Rock, which once held a casino and illegal drinking establishment, we just kept take the trail to the left particularly at the major intersections at 0.6 miles 0.9 miles.  This is not a perfect recipe but this rule combined with a little common sense will get you to the flat rock that was also once a meeting place for the KKK.  These hooded locals were known to dance across the rock and burn crosses for all to see.  For some reason Coors Beer has not made that part of their advertising campaign! Take care around 1.3 miles.  A trail heads sharply left down off the mesa to the Rim Rock neighborhood.  Instead, head toward the power lines and follow the trail as it turns northward.  You'll finally see Castle Rock in the distance at around 1.8 miles.

The view of North Table Mountain from Castle Rock

Looking down on the Lubahn Trail from Castle Rock

In summer South Table Mountain will be a frying pan, so take to this trail in the spring when the grasses start to green and Mule Deer can be seen grazing in the distance.  If you are starved for a place to let your dogs roam free like I am, visit South Table Mountain sooner rather than later.  Once it is formally controlled by Jefferson County, the trails will be marked, but dogs will have to be on leash.   I may be moving to Idaho soon, to find a place where dogs can still be dogs.

Looking southwest into Golden from Castle Rock

Abby likes the freedom of South Table Mountain