Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 40.29000°N / 105.63°W
Additional Information Elevation: 11482 ft / 3500 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview


This is a peak in the RMNP. It is located directly east of Mills Lake. The mountain is not particularly spectacular, but the views from the top are outstanding. Longs Peak seems almost close enough to touch, and the Flattop Mountain is also near.

The easiest route will be probably be the East Face accessed via North Longs Peak trail. My guess is it is Class 3 in the summer. I did not climb this route opting for the more challenging West Face (see the When To Climb section below).

I am almost certain that there are many people climbing this peak in the summer.

Getting There


From Estes Park, CO take Rt 36 to Bear Lake Road. Follow that road to the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Hike south along the Glacier Creek past Alberta Falls. Hang right (stay along the creek, past Glacier Falls) at the North Long Peak Trail intersection to access the west side of Half Mountain and hang left at the intersection to get to the east face.

Red Tape


RMNP park entrance fees ($15 for 7days per vehicle). Backcountry camping permits also required ($15 in peak season, free otherwise). Camping is at designated sites, but these is a provision for climbers. For more detailed/up to date info go to http://www.nps.gov/romo.

Bear Lake Road is plowed in the winter providing year around access from Estes Park.

When To Climb


Easiest form June through September. Out if season climbing requires ice axe/crampons/snow shoes (via the West Gully) . Roping up may be a good idea - we did.

I climbed the peak in the winter out of Glacier Gorge (10000'), via the main gully, then up the West Face (soft snow and rock). We did not see any other parties on the mountain. That route was a 5.1 in winter according to the leader of our party of four. We completed the climb by traversing it and coming down the East Face.

Camping


Camping in RMNP is at designated sites (both backcountry and car), but bivouac camping is also allowed. See the The Bivouac Permit
section under Climbing and Mountaineering on the RMNP website.



Mountain Conditions


RMNP web site:
http://www.nps.gov/romo

Web Cam:
http://www.estes-park.com/pictures/webcam.html

Weather info (from accuweather):

Click here


Children

Children

Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. For example, the Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children.