SarahThompson - Apr 14, 2008 11:54 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
South ridge, south slopes, traverse from Eagles Nest
7/23/07 - Climbed to Peak C - Powell saddle (aka Kneeknocker Pass). The standard route up Mt. Powell drops down slightly on the other side of this pass and then climbs up the easy south slopes. I had heard that the south ridge provides nice scrambling so we decided to investigate. Everything went smoothly for a while with judicious routefinding and 3rd & 4th class scrambling. When we came to a large notch near 12,450 ft we couldn’t find a way off the tower that wasn’t 5th class. Since we had gear, we decided to rappel down instead of backtracking. There was another large difficult looking tower just past the notch so at this point we decided to leave the ridge on a faint trail and make our way up the south slopes route on big blocky talus.
9/18/10 - Began at the Surprise Lake TH, climbed the east ridge of Eagles Nest, and traversed connecting ridge to Mount Powell. The ridge is riddled with large gendarmes and is over a mile long. We stayed as true to the ridge as possible (with a short rope but no pro). Traverse took 4 hours! Great rock! Descended south slopes and hiked out to Piney Lake. Completed 70 mile car shuttle back to Surprise Lake TH.
Kane - Mar 2, 2008 11:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2007
Thought I could try out the wife on this summit attempt.
Sadly, she was only able to make the top of Kneeknocker pass.
Very commendable attempt for her though. Next year I will attempt again. Beautiful mountain.
bds670 - Jul 3, 2006 4:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2006
Route: Piney Lake
Great mountain; seldom climbed. Not much snow left.
Mountain Jim - Mar 20, 2006 2:09 am Date Climbed: Oct 4, 1970
West Face
We wandered out onto the West Face from below the col between Powell & Peak C, and by traversing back and forth on ledge systems we were able to find a non roped route up the face.
markhyams - Mar 3, 2006 5:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2001
S Ridge
Did this in a day from Piney Lake. My first foray into the Gores. I always mean to go there more, but so far I've only been there thrice.
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: July 17, 2005
I loved this mountain....You guys will make a Gore Range convert out of me yet! My only regret is that it's taken me 5 years of climbing in CO before I finally trekked into the Gores. We made an alpine start and were the first people to summit yesterday. The Gores look like the Tenmile Range on crack! What a gorgeous, rugged, lush green locale!
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: September, 1994
My favorite Colorado 13-er, and one of the best of all Colorado's mountains! This is a WONDERFUL climb, and the Gore Range view from the summit is amazing--you barely get a "peek" at what's there if you only drive through Vail on the freeway. Climbed with Aaron and Mark (actually, met them on the mountain, as we had to take two vehicles).
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: June 16, 2002.
Mount Powell is an incredible mountian. It is rare the a range's highpoint so well embodies the ranges character. The roundabout route starting from the Piney River Valley, ascending towards Knee Knocker Pass, crossing to the mountains east side, ascending a long snow coulior, before finishing on the gently serated summit offers almost everything a colorado mountaineer could desire. My dogs Sopris and Raymond accompanied me on this amazing summit and we thouroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Jon Bradford
P.S. Beware the funky cornices on the mountains south side above Knee Knocker Pass.
SarahThompson - Apr 14, 2008 11:54 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
South ridge, south slopes, traverse from Eagles Nest7/23/07 - Climbed to Peak C - Powell saddle (aka Kneeknocker Pass). The standard route up Mt. Powell drops down slightly on the other side of this pass and then climbs up the easy south slopes. I had heard that the south ridge provides nice scrambling so we decided to investigate. Everything went smoothly for a while with judicious routefinding and 3rd & 4th class scrambling. When we came to a large notch near 12,450 ft we couldn’t find a way off the tower that wasn’t 5th class. Since we had gear, we decided to rappel down instead of backtracking. There was another large difficult looking tower just past the notch so at this point we decided to leave the ridge on a faint trail and make our way up the south slopes route on big blocky talus.
9/18/10 - Began at the Surprise Lake TH, climbed the east ridge of Eagles Nest, and traversed connecting ridge to Mount Powell. The ridge is riddled with large gendarmes and is over a mile long. We stayed as true to the ridge as possible (with a short rope but no pro). Traverse took 4 hours! Great rock! Descended south slopes and hiked out to Piney Lake. Completed 70 mile car shuttle back to Surprise Lake TH.
Kane - Mar 2, 2008 11:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2007
Nice view of Peak CTR here
http://www.summitpost.org/custom-object/279853/2007.html#chapter_11
Larry V - Sep 10, 2007 10:00 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
SnakesPiney River approach. Great scenery. Second attempt (we were turned back by weather last summer). Observed several snakes on this trip.
boisedoc - Dec 17, 2006 5:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 1989
Foggy dayWent up from Piney Creek. Foggy day and a fair amount of routefinding. No views to speak of.
seth@LOKI - Jul 21, 2006 2:38 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2005
Solo from Mirror Lake! Great Backpack trip!Great Range! Had friends at the lake.
bartellini - Jul 13, 2006 5:44 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2006
Powell with the WifeThought I could try out the wife on this summit attempt.
Sadly, she was only able to make the top of Kneeknocker pass.
Very commendable attempt for her though. Next year I will attempt again. Beautiful mountain.
bds670 - Jul 3, 2006 4:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2006
Route: Piney LakeGreat mountain; seldom climbed. Not much snow left.
Mountain Jim - Mar 20, 2006 2:09 am Date Climbed: Oct 4, 1970
West FaceWe wandered out onto the West Face from below the col between Powell & Peak C, and by traversing back and forth on ledge systems we were able to find a non roped route up the face.
markhyams - Mar 3, 2006 5:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2001
S RidgeDid this in a day from Piney Lake. My first foray into the Gores. I always mean to go there more, but so far I've only been there thrice.
miztflip - Sep 18, 2005 1:53 pm
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: 17 September, 2005What an awesome mountain. I couldn't believe the views from up there. Also, did I mention NO crowds.
See my Trip Report for details.
RyanS - Jul 18, 2005 3:49 pm
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: July 17, 2005I loved this mountain....You guys will make a Gore Range convert out of me yet! My only regret is that it's taken me 5 years of climbing in CO before I finally trekked into the Gores. We made an alpine start and were the first people to summit yesterday. The Gores look like the Tenmile Range on crack! What a gorgeous, rugged, lush green locale!
Saintgrizzly - Aug 9, 2004 12:53 am
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: September, 1994My favorite Colorado 13-er, and one of the best of all Colorado's mountains! This is a WONDERFUL climb, and the Gore Range view from the summit is amazing--you barely get a "peek" at what's there if you only drive through Vail on the freeway. Climbed with Aaron and Mark (actually, met them on the mountain, as we had to take two vehicles).
Doesn't anyone climb this mountain? Amazing!
JonBradford - Nov 1, 2003 7:36 pm
Route Climbed: Piney Lake Date Climbed: June 16, 2002.Mount Powell is an incredible mountian. It is rare the a range's highpoint so well embodies the ranges character. The roundabout route starting from the Piney River Valley, ascending towards Knee Knocker Pass, crossing to the mountains east side, ascending a long snow coulior, before finishing on the gently serated summit offers almost everything a colorado mountaineer could desire. My dogs Sopris and Raymond accompanied me on this amazing summit and we thouroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Jon Bradford
P.S. Beware the funky cornices on the mountains south side above Knee Knocker Pass.