Sleeping well for the first time since we arrived at Upper Slate Lake I feel ready for today’s climb of Peak L. It’ll be a repeat ascent for me, but is such a fun scramble I’m looking forward to it. First, I’ve got to enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the moon set at the upper end of the basin.
Gary and I make quick time up to the Slate Creek crossing.
From here we head somewhat northwest and upwards through the trees and reach a curving open slope of boulders and steep grass.
The slope is steep but straightforward and we soon gain the ridge with a excellent view of the Regal Couloir on Peak R. From this vantage point it looks far steeper than the 50 degrees we know it is from Friday’s ascent.
We drop our packs and just bring our helmets for the scrambling to the summit.
The rock is solid, and feels wonderful after the loose blocks on Peak Q. Gary comments that the climb feels like one of Boulder’s Flatirons.
Past the knife-edge section we arrive at the final summit block. Gary starts up a right-tending ramp and I head for the right of two parallel cracks to its left.
Moving further right we curve back towards the summit block, only about 2 hours after leaving camp.
We spend a little bit of time on top and enjoy the views and the day’s solid weather. We’ve still got miles to go so we don’t linger too long and are soon reversing our route.
Back across the knife-edge.
Back at our packs we spy a slightly quicker way around the snow near the saddle and are rewarded with a great view of Peak Q across the valley.
The steep grass and rock slope dumps us back at the creek rapidly and we have the hike back to camp pretty much dialed around the south side of the lake.
After eating and packing up camp we start down the trail. I arrive at the creek crossing with the bridge having miraculously avoided repairs while we’d been above. I realized I couldn’t jump the creek with my pack but thought I could make the jump if the pack went separately. After tossing the pack to the other side I was committed. Gary arrived and suggested we built up a few rocks to get a bit extra vertical for launching ourselves. Excellent idea and I stay dry on the leap.
From here down past Slate Lake and some muddy meadows we each move at our own pace and trudge onwards. I run into a couple horseback riders then after clearing the last muddy obstacle and change into my lighter shoes while fighting off the swarming mosquitoes.
We run into a couple of other hikers and keep up a slow pace on the hike back to the Gore Range trail where we break for a bit. Tired all around we realize we’ll take longer on the hike out than the hike in, in spite of having consumed most of the food we’d brought in.
A lone hiker tells us about a bear he saw on the trail, but the critter is gone by the time we pass through that area and nothing enlivens the hike back. At least not until we get to a trail junction sign and know we’ve only got .6 miles left.
Back at the trailhead we rapidly change clothes and hurry back to town for a big dinner at the Dillon Dam Brewery.
Any good brews?
Yup, I enjoyed their (seasonal?) Irish Stout.