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| West Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 38.42300°N / 106.225°W Route Type: Scramble Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 2
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Apr 3, 2003 / Aug 19, 2008 Object ID: 157906 Hits: 1298 Loading... Page Score: 86.4% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachFrom the town of Poncha Springs, head south on Highway 285 about 5 miles. On the right, a sign will indicate the turn-out to Marshall Pass. Take the Marshall Pass road to just shy of the Pass, about 14 miles. The road is graded and passable for most passenger cars, although washboards may be present, depending on how much snow has fallen and how much maintenence has been performed. Go around corners slowly. At the parking area, park well off the road. A 4WD road can be followed from here to the ridge crest.
Route DescriptionFollow the 4WD road to the ridge crest and strike northward on the rounded ridge line, winding your way up through scrubby forest. Do your best to stay on top of the ridge, which is also the Continental Divide. Keeping a barbed wire fence within view to your left makes route finding easy. As you approach timberline, the forest gets patchy and visibility is good. Mount Ouray will be visible to the northeast when you reach timberline at 1.3 miles.
Continue on the ridge north to a flat section at mile 1.6, and proceed onward north to Point 12,685 at mile 2.1. From here, the remainder of your climb is visible due east, up Mount Ouray's sweeping west ridge. Head east up the ridge, expecting Class 1 walking and occasional Class 2 scrambling conditions all the way on mostly stable rock. At roughly mile 3 you'll climb over a quartz intrusion, which is colorful and crumbly, but not difficult. It can be avoided on the right if desired. The roomy summit is beyond, with several hundred vertical feet to go. A great view of several mountain ranges and three significant valleys awaits you.
Return via the same route.
A descent down the south face is feasible if you want to walk a mile or so back up the road to your car. The descent of this face is over stable rock, Class 2, but conditions will vary depending on your route choices. This descent may be a good idea in threatening weather. Near the bottom, don't drop too soon to avoid marshy area below.
Ascending the south face and descending the west ridge is feasible, but not as scenic or fun. This is typical Sawatch climbing: long, steep slopes over stable terrain.
GAIN: 3020 feet
DISTANCE: 6.5 miles round trip returning via the west ridge. Add a mile for a loop trip.
Updates courtesy SP member djilk. Many thanks!
   
Essential GearStandard day hike equipment and clothing will do. Bring plenty of water. There are no water sources anywhere on this route.
Ascent of this route in winter conditions is a safe bet if you stick to the ridge. Appropriate clothing, ice axe and crampons highly recommended. Access to Marshall Pass is of course another matter!
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Sawatch Range
