thebeave7 - Jul 14, 2008 10:02 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2008
The Long Way
Climbed this peak as part of my Hardrock 100 pacing duties. Started at the base of Grouse Gulch, climbed up and over into American Basin, up the South ridge, then down into Grizzly Gulch. A decent amount of snow still clinging to American Basin, the Grizzly Gulch side was mostly snow free, beautiful sunrise.
Third time climbing Handies. This time from Grizzly Gulch. We were able to glissade down the upper part of the mountain.
davebobk47 - Jul 7, 2008 11:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2008
American Basin
American Basin was beautiful. Camped the night there and was on trail just before 5am. Made the summit about 7am and was down just past 8am. Wonderful hike.
My wife, Mrs. Rat, and I climbed this great route back in 1980. Hard to imagine a more beautiful high route in Colorado. There was much less traffic in this country a couple of decades ago!
Loved it. Not enough time up there...up in down in 2.5 hours due to storms.
MountainHikerCO - Feb 18, 2008 12:22 am Date Climbed: Jun 5, 1993
American Basin
This was my first climb of Handies. It was from American Basin. Second American Basin climb was on Jun 20, 1997, when we cooked T-bone steaks on the grill at our campsite.
WyoNative - Jan 30, 2008 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2000
Relatively Easy Summit
My first (and only) 14000 foot peak; saw many marmots; hiked from American Basin
tomlauren - Jan 30, 2008 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
East Slopes
Hiked the East Slopes from the Silver Creek - Grizzly Gulch Trailhead with my friend Keith. This was one of the most beautiful 14er hikes I've ever been on.
This was my 11 year old daughter's first fourteener. It took a little bit to adjust to the altitude but she was a trooper and summited on a beautiful clear afternoon.
argothor - Oct 5, 2007 6:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2003
American Basin
Hiked up from the American Basin. Also hiking that day was a party of about 20, one of whom was finishing up the 54 Colorado 14ers. Champaign was flowing at 14,000 feet!
Later afternoon hike; started up at 1:40PM and reached a gorgeous empty summit at 2:55. Spectacular views from this impressive peak. Headed back down at 3:20 and back to the TH at 4:56 on a glorious day. My 32nd 14'er..........sweet!!
Ken Dammen - Sep 14, 2007 7:36 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
Via American Basin
Went up via semi steep area on North side using ice axe and crampons. Fun glissade down. Great Day.
long slog through very pretty area... I just LOVE the San Juans.
Bill Jirousek - Aug 28, 2007 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2007
Grizzly Gulch TH
Roach was right when he said this peak beckons you on for most of the approach. One of the best summit views I've seen. Mountains in every direction.
mountainloverCO - Aug 26, 2007 4:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2007
American Basin- evening hike
We climbed Uncompahgre in the morning, spent some time driving over the passes in the Lake City area, and then climbed Handies in the late afternoon once all the storms had cleared out. We had the entire mountain to ourselves throughout the hike. The scenery was stunning, and the weather was perfect...American Basin is one of those places that must be seen to be believed.
kylerlott - Aug 21, 2007 4:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
Grizzly Gulch TH
I highly recommend this route over the American Basin, just a little bit longer and more elevation gain, but way less people. We saw one group of three hikers the entire day! I still can't believe how late some people start up 14ers, especially when black clouds are looming in the distance and they still push on thinking they will make it in time. Then BOOM! Here they come running back down the mtn. I am surprised we don't hear about more accidents in the mtns.
jhansen007 - Aug 19, 2007 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Grizzly Gulch TH
Beautify hike up through the American Basin. Great views from the top. #34 for me.
thebeave7 - Jul 14, 2008 10:02 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2008
The Long WayClimbed this peak as part of my Hardrock 100 pacing duties. Started at the base of Grouse Gulch, climbed up and over into American Basin, up the South ridge, then down into Grizzly Gulch. A decent amount of snow still clinging to American Basin, the Grizzly Gulch side was mostly snow free, beautiful sunrise.
MountainHikerCO - Jul 8, 2008 6:59 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Grizzly GulchThird time climbing Handies. This time from Grizzly Gulch. We were able to glissade down the upper part of the mountain.
davebobk47 - Jul 7, 2008 11:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2008
American BasinAmerican Basin was beautiful. Camped the night there and was on trail just before 5am. Made the summit about 7am and was down just past 8am. Wonderful hike.
Natasha - Jul 6, 2008 5:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Grizzly GulchGorgeous valley! Nice leisurely day. Glad we got an early start as clouds and distant thunder started at 11a.
peakrat76 - Apr 26, 2008 10:14 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 1980
American BasinMy wife, Mrs. Rat, and I climbed this great route back in 1980. Hard to imagine a more beautiful high route in Colorado. There was much less traffic in this country a couple of decades ago!
astrobassman - Mar 21, 2008 4:13 pm
Best view of any Colorado 14er...Loved it. Not enough time up there...up in down in 2.5 hours due to storms.
MountainHikerCO - Feb 18, 2008 12:22 am Date Climbed: Jun 5, 1993
American BasinThis was my first climb of Handies. It was from American Basin. Second American Basin climb was on Jun 20, 1997, when we cooked T-bone steaks on the grill at our campsite.
WyoNative - Jan 30, 2008 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2000
Relatively Easy SummitMy first (and only) 14000 foot peak; saw many marmots; hiked from American Basin
tomlauren - Jan 30, 2008 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
East SlopesHiked the East Slopes from the Silver Creek - Grizzly Gulch Trailhead with my friend Keith. This was one of the most beautiful 14er hikes I've ever been on.
jmc - Dec 21, 2007 9:49 am
11 year old's first 14erThis was my 11 year old daughter's first fourteener. It took a little bit to adjust to the altitude but she was a trooper and summited on a beautiful clear afternoon.
gremlin - Oct 24, 2007 4:20 pm
normal routefun hike for me back when i was little
argothor - Oct 5, 2007 6:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2003
American BasinHiked up from the American Basin. Also hiking that day was a party of about 20, one of whom was finishing up the 54 Colorado 14ers. Champaign was flowing at 14,000 feet!
myrone - Sep 23, 2007 1:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2007
From American Basin THLater afternoon hike; started up at 1:40PM and reached a gorgeous empty summit at 2:55. Spectacular views from this impressive peak. Headed back down at 3:20 and back to the TH at 4:56 on a glorious day. My 32nd 14'er..........sweet!!
Ken Dammen - Sep 14, 2007 7:36 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
Via American BasinWent up via semi steep area on North side using ice axe and crampons. Fun glissade down. Great Day.
noahs213 - Sep 13, 2007 6:28 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2007
Beautiful WeatherGood climb. very scenic. Did it from Grizzly Gulch. Still think it would be wayyy better in the winter.
dr_gonz - Sep 5, 2007 1:33 pm
prettylong slog through very pretty area... I just LOVE the San Juans.
Bill Jirousek - Aug 28, 2007 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2007
Grizzly Gulch THRoach was right when he said this peak beckons you on for most of the approach. One of the best summit views I've seen. Mountains in every direction.
mountainloverCO - Aug 26, 2007 4:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2007
American Basin- evening hikeWe climbed Uncompahgre in the morning, spent some time driving over the passes in the Lake City area, and then climbed Handies in the late afternoon once all the storms had cleared out. We had the entire mountain to ourselves throughout the hike. The scenery was stunning, and the weather was perfect...American Basin is one of those places that must be seen to be believed.
kylerlott - Aug 21, 2007 4:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
Grizzly Gulch THI highly recommend this route over the American Basin, just a little bit longer and more elevation gain, but way less people. We saw one group of three hikers the entire day! I still can't believe how late some people start up 14ers, especially when black clouds are looming in the distance and they still push on thinking they will make it in time. Then BOOM! Here they come running back down the mtn. I am surprised we don't hear about more accidents in the mtns.
jhansen007 - Aug 19, 2007 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Grizzly Gulch THBeautify hike up through the American Basin. Great views from the top. #34 for me.