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| Northeast Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 40.29000°N / 105.63°W Route Type: Hike/Scramble Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 2
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Jun 23, 2005 / Jun 16, 2006 Object ID: 165598 Hits: 808 Loading... Page Score: 85.89% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Approach & Introduction
HALF MOUNTAIN FROM THE NORTH
The Northeast Ridge Route follows the left skyline to the summit. Digital photo by Aaron Johnson
See the GETTING THERE section on the MAIN PAGE. When approaching the trailhead, be sure to park in the FIRST PARKING LOT (which appears on your left), which is the GLACIER GORGE TRAILHEAD. You can park at the larger lot at the end of the road, which is the BEAR LAKE TRAILHEAD, but this adds a mile round trip to your total hiking distance.
This climb involves a route finding exercise. A map and compass or GPS with preloaded waypoints is highly recommended.
The view from the top of this little mountain is unexpectedly spectacular, which is more than ample reward for your effort. You won't be disappointed!
Route DescriptionFrom the parking area, proceed southwest on a wide and maintained trail. When you arrive at the junction, go left. (Going right takes you a half mile to the Bear Lake parking area). At the next juntion, stay to the right. Pass scenic Alberta Falls at .63 miles. At mile 1.26, go left on the North Longs Peak Trail. The trail is not indicated as such, but the sign indicates "Granite Pass" and "Boulderfield." You'll cross a bridge and gain altitude gradually as the trail contours across Half Mountain's lower north slopes.
At mile 2.29, depart the trail on a south-southwest course through the trees. This is a thick forest and entanglements are easily encountered. Bushwacking and route finding are required. Keep some black rock towers (seen on the ridgeline in the photo above) well to your left, southeast of your line of travel. Refer to the map included on this route page. Although you are paralleling a northeast ridge line, the ridge is only evident in the presence of the rock towers.
Break out of the timber and into scrubby brush and rock at around 10,700 feet. Maintain a steady course toward a small knob of rock, which makes for a fun but brief scramble. The summit area is just beyond and a fantastic view awaits your arrival.
Return the same route.
LANDMARKS & MILEAGE
.15 MILES Trail Junction
.63 Alberta Falls
1.26 North Longs Peak Trail Junction
2.29 Depart Trail, Begin Bushwack
2.72 Treeline
3.04 Summit
6.08 MILES, Class 2
2,313 FEET GAIN
Essential GearSpring, Summer & Fall: Standard day hike gear and good hiking boots will do.
Winter: This route would require snow shoes, ice axe and appropriate winter gear and apparell. Expect deep and drifted snow well into spring.
A map and compass or a GPS unit with plotted waypoints loaded before your hike are highly recommended.
Miscellaneous InfoIf you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
Images
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Rocky Mountain National Park
