| Tremont Mountain Mountain/Rock |
Contribute  Loading...
Children Loading...
Geography Parents Loading... Mountains & Rocks
| Tremont Mountain   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.86612°N / 105.43637°W County: Gilpin Activities: Hiking, Trad Climbing, Bouldering, Scrambling Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Elevation: 10330 ft / 3149 m | Page By: jfox Created/Edited: Aug 11, 2008 / Aug 12, 2008 Object ID: 430523 Hits: 275 Loading... Page Score: 88.02% - 7 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
Tremont Mountain is the only other major peak in Golden Gate Canyon State Park aside from Mt. Thorodin. The Ralston Roost area is the southern extent of Tremont Mountain's rocky ridge. There is some good, moderate rock climbing and bouldering atop the ridge and it is a scramblers paradise as you can enchain the entire ridge in an exhausting single push of mostly 4th class to low 5th class climbing.
From Tremonts lofty and rocky summit, hikers are greeted to a wondrous 360 degree view of the entire Front Range from Longs Peak to Pikes Peak. Nearly all of the Indian Peaks Wilderness can be seen from here as well.
Tremont's summit is at the northernmost point of a long rocky ridge that propagates south to Ralston Roost. There are many buttresses jutting out of the forest like jagged teeth enticing climbers and scramblers to explore its secrets. A fun jaunt is to start from Kriley Pond below Son of Ralston and climb this formation and then over each buttress, working your way north to Tremont's final summit. A long and tiring day indeed, but filled with excellent scrambling and rock climbing.
Tremont also has a lower ridge, Promontory Ridge, that begs to be explored as well. This mountian is made of the same Front Range gneisses and granites as Thorodin and makes for excellent and solid rock to climb. Some of the buttresses are not much more than teetering blocks, so be careful.
Wildlife abounds here as well. This is the home of deer, elk, black bear, and mountain lions. I've seen the first three, but not the latter. There are however warning signs throughout the park that lions do live in the area. Another thing to keep in mind when exploring Tremonts ridges and summit.
Getting There
See the main Golden Gate Canyon State Park page for directions. Tremont Mountain rises abruptly from Kriley Pond off of CO-46 and its west side can be easily accessed from Mountain Base Rd. There are several pull-offs along this road for picnicking with trails that lead up into the hills for a ways. However, to get to the summit, one must leave the hiking trails and make your own way.When to Climb
Tremont can be climbed any time of the year. I have climbed it in every season. In the fall, one is greeted with spectacular views of the the aspen in their fall colors, cool temperatures and stable weather. In the winter, you should be prepared for deep snow in the trees. Even with snowshoes, you can expect to sink in up to your waist or more. If you make it to the top, be wary of snow and ice covered ledges above cliffs. Avalanche danger should be minimal to non-existant since the mountain is completely covered to the top with a thick forest of pine trees. However, I AM NOT AN AVALANCHE EXPERT! Procede with caution at your own risk.
Spring and Summer allow mostly unimpeded access. The forest is not all that thick, but the slopes become rockier as you near the summit. Boulder hopping on talus is sometimes necessary even within the trees. Lingering snow will make travel difficult in the forest through June. Summer can be hot as well, and the area is mostly dry. Take water as there are not any streams emanating off the summit.Red TapeColorado State Park fee required. $6 U.S. as of 2008 at self serve kiosks located throuout the park.
CampingSee main GGCSP page for more info. There are numerous camping spots on the west and east sides of Tremont Mountain.
External LinksSee main GGCSP page for links. Images
|
|
