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| West Slope   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.22102°N / 105.31331°E Route Type: Hiking Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Time Required: Less than two hours Difficulty: Walkup - except summit rock (Class V)
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| Page By: Niederbayer Created/Edited: Oct 26, 2008 / Oct 26, 2008 Object ID: 457377 Hits: 474 Loading... Page Score: 86.25% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
The West Face is a pretty short hike - you can easily squeeze it in after a day of fishing along the South Platte. Getting There
Travel South on US 285 - west bound (Hampden Av. within city limits) to the small town of Pine Junction.
Turn south on County Road 126, pass through Pine and Buffalo Creek.
Turn on Forest Road 211 (3 miles before Deckers)- look for the sign to Cheesman Reservoir.
The unpaved Forest Road is very narrow and windy on its first 2 miles, you will drive constantly along dropp offs.
The road is maintained in winter - but be well prepared to drive on a narrow, icy road..you most likely would not survive it if you slip of the road..
After two miles you reach a junction (marked by several oversized post boxes).
You might be able to squeeze in a car along the road right before the junction,otherwise proceed in direction of Cheesman Reservoir (to your left), where you find two parking lots.Route Description/Red Tape
The Southern part of the main ridge of Cheesman Mountain is owned by the Denver Water company.
One could use the nice Upper Cheesman Canyon Trail from the upper parking lot for a shorter while to gain some altitude and bushwhack then up to the main ridge of Cheesman Mountain.
However, the trail regulations stipulate clearly that hikers have to stay on the trail - it can be assumed that the company is not in favor of hikers wandering around their property except on established trails.
To be on the safe side - hike 0.5 miles up the dirt road from the parkign lot at Cheesman Reservoir until you reach the National Forest boundary.
You will find several dry creek beds,which will get you below the rocky main ridge of Cheesman Mountain.
Scramble up the ridge. From the ridge it is only a short hike to the main summit with its distinctive summit rock.
The summit rock requires a Class V climb. If you are courageous you can use wireslings dangling from the rock to get up to the top.
If you don't feel like risking a 15 feet deep fall - even without standing on the rock itself you will have a fabulous view of the surrounding area.Essential GearHiking boots, protection against sun andd plenty of waterExternal Links Images
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