Overview
Pt.13,411, or better known as "Heisshorn", is the 311th highest peak in Colorado , 8th in the Uncompaghre Wilderness (in terms of rank). Despite being included in Dave Cooper's 50 Classic Scrambles guidebook, its popularity has yet to really grow. I'm not able to confirm it, but I'm pretty sure the cover photo of the 1st edition is a guy climbing the "Heisshorn".Each peak in the Middle Cimarron has its own unique characteristic. Pt.13,280 (or "El Punto) is "known" for its scary loose summit block. I've read its even looser than "Heisshorn's" class 4 ridge. I find this insanely unbelievable, but having never done "El Punto", I'm not at liberty to make a decision on the matter. "Heisshorn" is known for its very exposed and loose summit ridge. Coxcomb and Precipice are two mountains that have more unique qualities than arguably any other mountain in Colorado. Coxcomb is an extremely narrow fin, strutting out of the SW edge of Middle Cimarron and Precipice has some trippy geological "hoodoo" features surrounding its southern flanks that remind you of a Utah National Park. If you have no intention of climbing any of these, a trip to its boundaries are the least you can do, as the approach to the upper reaches of the basin are rather easy and straightfoward.
Cooper describes the history of the first ascent of these peaks in his 50 Classic Scrambles book as well, citiing his info rom the 1929 edition of Trail and Timberline. For anyone interested, pick up a copy, or go the extra mile and get your hands on the T&T archived magazine. Joe Kamarsic's books are another source of note, in particular his description of Colorado Mountaineering from 1863 till 1976 (I'm about to get my hands on his Gore Range write ups as well).
Heisshorn from the Middle Fork trail.
Getting There
There are two ways to get to the Middle Fork TH, from the West around Ridgeway and from the East around Blue Mesa Reservoir. I'll describe the East approach, as I have never come from the West (which will change this Labor Day with plans for the West Cimarron).We drove from Summit County, taking 285 to 50. Just before you near the actual town of Cimarron, look to your left for a sign for "Silver Jack Reservoir" (Big Cimarron Rd). The drive along this long, graded road is passable by any vehicle, its just a long drive through a lot of ranch land. There are some nice vantage points to stop and take some shots of the Uncompaghre Wilderness, which is a much more unique view than from any other angle, IMO.
Anyways, after passing the turnoff for the Reservoir, stay straight towards Owl Creek Pass and eventually cross a one-lane bridge. After the bridge, take a left towards "Middle Fork" and reach the end of the road, where there is ample parking at the TH.
(note - there is a lot of car camping towards the end of the road, stay clear of drunk ATVers and kids that like to jump out in front of your car)
Red Tape
No permits are needed to camp anywhere in the Middle Fork Drainage. Watch out for cow poop along the beginning sections of the trail and don't run over any ATV'ers while driving to the TH.Camping
There is plenty of very solid spots along the creek early on and all around treeline in the upper reaches of the basin, near the Coxcomb/Middle Fork trail turnoff. Car Camping spots at the TH are very accessible as well, just be sure to thoroughly filter water from the creeks around there, as its an open range.External Links
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