Dates of Trip: 17 January 2010
Climbers: hobo and tortoise
Location: Front Range, CO, USA
Trailhead: Hoosier Pass
It was the first climb of the year and we were both fairly out of shape. We decided to head out for Hoosier Ridge (part of the Continental Divide), with the objective of hiking as far along it as we felt like it. We had a secondary objective of the Hoosier Ridge "summit" -- the highest bump along it, not really it's own peak.
The day began overcast with very light snow cutting visibility just a bit. The temperature was very nice though, in the high 20's, low 30s. We elected not to carry snowshoes. This was a good decision, as most of our route was either packed, ice-crusted, or windblown. We only had one annoying patch of postholing through some willows, which we corrected on the way down by following the actual trail through the trees (note for future: stay *right* at arrow that points left). As we hiked along the sun fought very hard to burn through the clouds and finally graced us with gorgeous views of the Ten Mile Range, and many past conquests: Quandary, North Star, Clinton, Traver, and McNamee, Fletcher, Helen, and Lincoln.
Deciding to quit while we were still having fun, we turned around at the bump 2.25 miles (crow flies) from the pass, still 1.5 miles (crow flies) from the "summit." We located the turn off to go up the backside of Silverheels (the avy-safe way), and maybe we'll get back to do it from that direction. We also found some great winter camping sites near treeline. I have the feeling we'll be back.
