| Jones Pass & Continental Divide Route |
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| Jones Pass & Continental Divide   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.79600°N / 105.854°W Route Type: Hike Scramble Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 2
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Feb 12, 2004 / Feb 12, 2004 Object ID: 160068 Hits: 2350 Loading... Page Score: 78.47% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
This route is not a conventional climb of Vasquez Peak. Starting at an altitude of 12,905’, you’ll follow the Continental Divide trail for half of your distance to Vasquez Peak. Mild elevation gain and loss is realized until you turn eastward for Vasquez Peak. Elevation loss will then exceed a total of 452 feet, comprised of walking over tundra and occasional Class 2 terrain.
An optional route presented here is more of a climb (in terms of steady altitude gain) than a ridge walk, and also serves as a good descent route with either approach, particularly in the event of oncoming weather (from the west), in which case the Continental Divide may shield you to some degree.
Approach
See the GETTING THERE section on the main page. Once on the road to Jones Pass, drive your vehicle to the top of the pass and park. This is a steep but maintained dirt road. Most vehicles with moderate clearance and a degree of traction will be able to negotiate this road.
Route Description
From your vehicle, hike north along the Continental Divide trail, which contours along the ridge top on the west side. At mile .6, you’ll go around Point 12,779’. At mile 1.74, you’ll climb over the top of Point 12,666’. Descend down the east ridge on a climber’s trail over fun Class 2 scrambling terrain and dance along some rock tops, now on a course toward Vasquez peak, which is visible due east. Descend to and hike over or around Point 12,316’. A north or south contour works well. Descend to a saddle, the low point of your ridge walk, at 11,880’.
The saddle is at mile 3. Climb due east to the Vasquez summit at mile 3.77. That’s 1,067 feet in seven tenths of a mile! The climb is over steep tundra. Some rock outcrops are available for mild Class 2 scrambling to the right as you ascend this slope.
On the return, an optional route presents itself just before the rocky ridge leading up to the Divide. Contour down into the basin and follow a wide bench that leads across the bowl, over a mild intersecting ridge and into the basin where the Jones Pass road is located. Drop toward the road, continuing on a southward course. This optional route also makes for a good climbing route to Vasquez Peak.
If some of your party stayed on the ridge, they can drive the vehicle down to pick you up. Otherwise, walk theroad back up to your vehicle. This option will also make a great ascent route if a Continental Divide ridge walk is not in your group’s plans.
MILE MARKER
Start 12.095’
.60 12,779’
1.74 12,666’
2.66 12,316’
3.0 11,880’ saddle
3.77 12,947 summit
TOTAL MILEAGE: 7.54
GAIN: 1768 feet
Essential Gear
SUMMER & FALL: Boots and standard dayhike gear.
SPRING: Snowshoes or crampons are recommended. An ice axe would be a good idea.
WINTER: Avoid the optional route, as it traverses prime avalanche terrain. A ridge walk on the Divide might require an ice axe and crampons and appropriate winter gear. An ascent of Vasquez Peak from the west in winter conditions is not recommended due to considerable avalanche potential.
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Front Range (CO)
