Stanley Mountain Climber's Log

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belexes

belexes - Sep 17, 2005 6:03 pm

Route Climbed: Berthoud Pass Date Climbed: September 17, 2005  Sucess!

This is a suprisingly easy hike with great scenery. The weather was great, but it was a little windy above treeline. The mountains to the south have a light dusting of snow now. Definitely a worthwhile hike.

bigwilly

bigwilly - May 17, 2005 5:46 pm

Route Climbed: Berthoud pass/variations. Date Climbed: Often  Sucess!

Nice hike. Spectacular ski descents on all sides, watch out for avalanches.

Scott

Scott - May 17, 2005 4:43 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2023

Stanley Mountain  Sucess!


August 5 2023

I climbed Stanley Mountain and three smaller peaks along the way-Russell Peak, No-name Peak, and Mt. Bruplex. I was surprised to find myself alone on top of this one and there was no one else around, though I did see people on the way up and down. Since there is a trail most of the way to this one, I thought there would be people on top.

It hailed a little, but for the most part the weather was really nice.

August 19 2009

Today I got off work fairly early so it was time for a climb of Mount Stanley. Not long after I set off driving to Berthoud Pass, I remember I forgot my headlamp. I didn’t want to return (I thought I might miss the sunset if I did) and thought I should be OK without it.

I left the trailhead at 6:33 pm and started up the mountain, climbing as fast as I could to try and reach the summit of Stanley Mountain by sunset. Once I reached Point 12391, the hardest part was finished, but Mount Stanley was still a long way off and I was worried I might not make it by sunset. I ate dinner (a pack of salmon and crackers) while walking and hurried towards the summit.

I was only at Point 12,507 minutes before the sunset so I took a side trip and climbed the point to photograph the sunset since I wouldn’t make it to the highest summit of Stanley Mountain on time. I took a few minutes on the summit to photograph the sunset and then set off towards Mount Stanley. By the time I reached the summit it was getting pretty dark.

I quickly headed back along the north ridge to Point 12,391. By the time I reached the point, it was definitely dark, but the ridge was easy to follow by starlight. Descending to Berthoud Pass was pretty tricky in the dark, especially below timberline where there were trees blocking out the starlight. When it got dark I pulled out the cell phone and used the light for that to stay on the trail.

I arrived back off the mountain well after 10 pm, but it was a nice little climb.

November 15 2003

did this climb on November 15, 2003 in winter conditions with a deep snowpack, but November 15 isn't quite close enough on the calendar to be a winter ascent.

From the trailhead, I followed the blocked-off road up the slope to the west. There was a well beaten path in the snow made by snowboarders that headed directly up the slope. The mountain above Berthoud Pass, was crawling with snowboarders, and I got alot of "Dude, where's your board?" questions. There were many snowboarders up to point 12,391, and then I was all alone for the rest of the trip.

There was an incredible view from point 12,391, but it was very cold and windy. The route was mostly easy to this point, other than an area where I was falling into the snow where it covered the krummholtz (dwarf trees). The ridge was then gentle for a long time, but it was very windy and cold.

My route took me over route the gentle summits of points 12,424, 12,507, and Stanley Mountain (12,521). After Stanley Mountain was the most difficult part of the climb. Descending the steep slope in the powder snow was very tricky as to avoid tumbling head over heals down to Vasquez Pass. After a tumble or two, and after breaking a pop-rivet on my snowshoe, I arrived at Vasquez Pass. From Vasquez Pass, the route was a bit easier over a moderately steep grade to peak 12,707. The hardest part of the ascent was now over with.

From peak 12,707, I continued west along the ridge to peak 12,900, and to the summit of Vasquez. The return route was easy except for the very steep climb from Vasquez Pass to Stanley Mountain! That was pretty dang tiring after an already long climb. I returned to the vehicle totally exhausted, but it was a good trip. Perhaps I should exercise more!

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