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| West Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.67560°N / 105.5225°W Route Type: Hike or Scramble Time Required: Half a day Difficulty: Class 1
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: May 9, 2005 / May 9, 2005 Object ID: 164980 Hits: 741 Loading... Page Score: 0% - 0 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Approach
From Bergen Park on Highway 74, proceed west from the junction on Highway 103 toward Squaw Pass. A sign for Mount Evans will direct you. Drive carefully as this road has many switchbacks and blind curves. Proceed on this road for 14 miles and then be on the lookout for a pull-off to the Clouds Rest picnic area on the left. Park here. Restroom facilities are available here.
Route Description
Proceed due east from the picnic area into the forest. You're actually on a ridge top, but the broad ridge and deep timber will initially demand your route finding skills. Maintain an easterly course and stay as high as you can. You'll loose about 180 feet altitude once you have left the Clouds Rest area, and it will hardly be noticeable. The gain will then be gradual, and as you approach the summit, the terrain will steepen slightly.
Once you break out of the trees, the route is obvious continuing east. Depending on your route finding skills, a slight course correction to the north may be indicated.
Class 2 or 3 scrambling options may be encountered along your route, which are easily climbed or bypassed.
You may join the standard route or choose your own scrambling route to the top (Class 2 or 3).
ROUND TRIP MILEAGE: 2.8
GAIN: 993 feet, including a 180 foot gain on the return to your vehicle at Clouds Rest.
Essential Gear
SUMMER & FALL: Standard hiking gear will do. Dress in anticipation of all kinds of weather.
SPRING & WINTER: This route is an excellent snowshoe route, great for staying in shape and there is no avalanche danger. Appropriate winter gear is indicated in addition to snowshoes or skis.
In any season, a map and compass or GPS unit is strongly advised. Most of this route is on a broad, timbered ridge. Visibility is often impeded and landmarks are hard to identify.
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
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Front Range (CO)
