| Storm King to Silex Traverse Route |
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| Storm King to Silex Traverse   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 37.67030°N / 107.5481°W Route Type: Snow climb Time Required: A long day Difficulty: Class 3
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| Page By: truchas Created/Edited: Aug 15, 2005 / Aug 27, 2005 Object ID: 166324 Hits: 708 Loading... Page Score: 78.66% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
This is a great way to bag both Storm King and Silex in one day. The Guardian would also be doable by a strong party. This route is only recommended while snow is still in Silex Basin. Crampons, ice axe, and a helmet are highly recommended.
Approach
Total round trip to base camp from trailhead: 12.6 miles
Total elevation gain to base camp from trailhead: 2000 ft.
Total elevation Loss to base camp from trailhead: 1900 ft.
Starting elevation from trailhead: 11,800 ft.
Finishing elevation at basecamp: 11,900 ft.
Total elevation gain from trailhead to peak: 3800 ft.
Total round trip distance from trailhead to peak: 14.6 miles
The approach starts from the Beartown Trailhead. See the "Getting There" section on the main page for directions.
From the Beartown Trailhead, follow the Vallecito Creek Trail approximately 4.2 miles over Hunchback Pass and down to Vallecito Creek. Look for the first large meadow about 1/2 mile past the last switchbacks (I will have GPS coordinates soon). This meadow will have a trail leading to it from the Vallecito Creek Trail that you will be on.
Cross the meadow and ford Vallecito Creek. This will REQUIRE you to wear sandals as there is no dry way across. This could be very tricky in early season high water. After crossing the creek bushwhack a short ways into the wilderness and you will find a nice but primitive trail.
Take a right turn and hike up this trail as it follows along the south side of Trinity Creek. You will lose the trail about 1.5 miles up just before leaving the forest and entering a boulder field. Hike onto the boulder field and make your way up boulders and tundra to a bench about 200 feet below lake silex. A nice but small meadow will make for an excellent base camp.
Route Description
Total distance from base camp to summit round trip: Approx. 4 miles
Total elevation gain to both summits from base camp: 3400 ft.
 
This route description will get you from the saddle between Storm King Peak and Peak 9 to the saddle between Pt. 13,176 and Mt. Silex. See the South Face and the Southwest Ridge routes for information on climbing the peaks from the saddles.
From the Storm King/Peak 9 saddle, you have two options:
1. This route is preferrable only if snow conditions exist. Downclimb slightly and traverse below the north face cliffs of Peak 9. Put your crampons on and traverse all the way to the gully coming down from the Silex/Pt. 13,176 saddle. Ascend directly up to the saddle.
2. This route is preferrable if snow conditions exist, but can be used when the snow levels are low. Descend about 500 ft. down to Lake Silex. Climb directly up the gully coming down from the Silex/Pt. 13,176 saddle. This can be done without crampons but the scree and loose rock is brutal.
Essential Gear
Crampons, ice axe, and helmets are recommended for this route.
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San Juan Range
