14er finisher! Just 1:14 to reach the summit but 36 years to complete the list of 58 named CO 14ers. Views from the top are great- even made out Vestal’s Wham ridge from the summit!
Beautiful day with clear skies, temps in the 70s at the American Basin and in the high 40s at the summit with little period of wind on the exposed switchbacks in the last 300 feet climb or so. Gorgeous Sloan Lake and incredible views from the Summit. On the way to American Basin form Lake city is a stunning Lake Cristobal. The road with 2 WD takes some skills to get to the lower trailhead. Lake City is such a charming small town with lots to do.
JesseSumrak - Jul 29, 2021 6:37 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2021
What a Drive
Beautiful 14’er and American Basin was incredible, but the adrenaline all came from the driving. Not a bad road, but mudslides had Lake City locked in, and we took a chance to get up to the trailhead. Had to cross one super tiny mudslide, but it was a rush like no other. Tish is getting real. Another 14’er for the ages :p
wyatt_meyers - Jul 26, 2021 10:02 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2020
Awesome hike!
Hiked over a ridge from a trailhead just outside of Silverton. We did not know this was the wrong trailhead and added probably an extra 1k gain and loss to this hike one way. Pushed through and summited on a stormless clear day. Descended to the correct trailhead and hitchhikered back to our car! Whoops!
After a crazy night of thunderstorms that led to some road closures, we left Lake City at 2:30 am to see if we could make it to Handies. Luckily we were able to make it. The roads were wet but not slided out. We started hiking around 4:30 am from the upper American Basin TH. As we summitted around 6:30, the clouds parted and the views were breathtaking. We were the first to summit today. Folks began to work their way up as we were coming down. Beautiful sunny morning in between monsoon rains.
Bryan W - Sep 5, 2020 9:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2020
Grizzly Gulch is worth it.
I took the longer and harder approach up Grizzly Gulch. It was a great trail in the lower section with the exception of the couple of hundred Aspen log steps. It's also steep and loose the last 500', but still worth it. Very windy at the top, but amazing views. #29.
Grizzly Gulch trail - with Akiko, Beth James and Ying. Ptarmigan with bunch of fluff ball chicks seen on return. What a wonderful hike!
eli.boardman - Dec 27, 2018 12:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2016
Beautiful route from Grizzly Gulch
14ers.com fall gathering, beautiful day
Matt Miller - Dec 22, 2018 9:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2009
With Leah
Went with friends to the San Juan Solstice run that I had completed the previous year, but bagged several 14ers this year.
Serious storm came in on Saturday while I climbed Sunshine Peak and Redcloud. Had intended to do Handies on Saturday but had to come back on Sunday morning to get it. The weather was beautiful on Sunday!
ericd - Aug 18, 2018 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
#43, Better than expected
3,860' in 4 miles and 6hrs. Trail is well laid from Grizzly Gulch with 2 miles of forest, grassy intermediary, and a better than expected 1000' final reward. No cell service from Lake City, pizza place was closed until 4pm !X%&#@
birdhead - Jun 14, 2018 5:54 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2018
Standard Trail
Got my 2015 Outback all the way to the highest trail head. Pretty easy hike up as far as 14ers go. Very windy on the ridge and summit. Smoke from the nearby fires obscured what otherwise looked like a spectacular view. There are not many signs of civilization from the summit, which is awesome!
connelljanis - Jun 12, 2018 5:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2017
Fun Hike and then...
but then I rolled my Jeep on the way out. I blame it on lack of oxygen.
The top is slick with what I call "kitty litter". Take poles.
Poteet - Apr 9, 2018 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2017
Relaxing 14er
Relatively easy 14er. Decent steep elevation gain on final leg up. Beautiful day, some clouds started to roll around midday, but no issues. Be prepared to possibly use a little bit of hands last leg if in less than ideal shoes, or lack of poles. No exposure though, so just a dusty fall if you slip.
Wheelbarrow - Feb 6, 2018 12:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2017
#35
American Basin was stunning and was a very captivating hike even despite not feeling comfortable enough to stand straight on the summit due to clouds. But there were marmots running around still and I think they have the sixth sense for weather stuff like that. Better SMART than sorry.
MissH - May 27, 2017 4:24 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2017
'Merica
Kicked off Memorial day weekend with a trip to American Basin. Road still blocked with snow about .75 mi from TH. Still a lot of snow, but it was firm and ideal. Gorgeous day. First 14er with John.
hgrapid - Jul 24, 2023 5:08 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2023
With WhitecrossHiked with Whitecross first and then Handies which is manageably steep.
Woodie Hopper - Sep 16, 2021 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2021
American Basin14er finisher! Just 1:14 to reach the summit but 36 years to complete the list of 58 named CO 14ers. Views from the top are great- even made out Vestal’s Wham ridge from the summit!
BobEnein - Sep 9, 2021 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2021
Handies Peak ClimbBeautiful day with clear skies, temps in the 70s at the American Basin and in the high 40s at the summit with little period of wind on the exposed switchbacks in the last 300 feet climb or so. Gorgeous Sloan Lake and incredible views from the Summit. On the way to American Basin form Lake city is a stunning Lake Cristobal. The road with 2 WD takes some skills to get to the lower trailhead. Lake City is such a charming small town with lots to do.
JesseSumrak - Jul 29, 2021 6:37 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2021
What a DriveBeautiful 14’er and American Basin was incredible, but the adrenaline all came from the driving. Not a bad road, but mudslides had Lake City locked in, and we took a chance to get up to the trailhead. Had to cross one super tiny mudslide, but it was a rush like no other. Tish is getting real. Another 14’er for the ages :p
wyatt_meyers - Jul 26, 2021 10:02 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2020
Awesome hike!Hiked over a ridge from a trailhead just outside of Silverton. We did not know this was the wrong trailhead and added probably an extra 1k gain and loss to this hike one way. Pushed through and summited on a stormless clear day. Descended to the correct trailhead and hitchhikered back to our car! Whoops!
BKiser90 - Jul 24, 2021 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2021
Wet Roads, Sunny SummitAfter a crazy night of thunderstorms that led to some road closures, we left Lake City at 2:30 am to see if we could make it to Handies. Luckily we were able to make it. The roads were wet but not slided out. We started hiking around 4:30 am from the upper American Basin TH. As we summitted around 6:30, the clouds parted and the views were breathtaking. We were the first to summit today. Folks began to work their way up as we were coming down. Beautiful sunny morning in between monsoon rains.
Bryan W - Sep 5, 2020 9:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2020
Grizzly Gulch is worth it.I took the longer and harder approach up Grizzly Gulch. It was a great trail in the lower section with the exception of the couple of hundred Aspen log steps. It's also steep and loose the last 500', but still worth it. Very windy at the top, but amazing views. #29.
Ted Bauer - Sep 1, 2020 2:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2020
Nice hikePretty easy hike. Fairly crowded, but thinned out at the lake.
BradBartick - Jul 3, 2020 4:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2020
Great weather and peakWitt M. Road is pretty tough- tales longer than you think if you drive like an old man l8e me.
mickeyCs - Mar 27, 2020 7:19 pm
--2017
utahjimk - Jul 27, 2019 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2019
first San Juan peak for me!Grizzly Gulch trail - with Akiko, Beth James and Ying. Ptarmigan with bunch of fluff ball chicks seen on return. What a wonderful hike!
eli.boardman - Dec 27, 2018 12:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2016
Beautiful route from Grizzly Gulch14ers.com fall gathering, beautiful day
Matt Miller - Dec 22, 2018 9:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2009
With LeahWent with friends to the San Juan Solstice run that I had completed the previous year, but bagged several 14ers this year.
Serious storm came in on Saturday while I climbed Sunshine Peak and Redcloud. Had intended to do Handies on Saturday but had to come back on Sunday morning to get it. The weather was beautiful on Sunday!
ericd - Aug 18, 2018 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
#43, Better than expected3,860' in 4 miles and 6hrs. Trail is well laid from Grizzly Gulch with 2 miles of forest, grassy intermediary, and a better than expected 1000' final reward. No cell service from Lake City, pizza place was closed until 4pm !X%&#@
birdhead - Jun 14, 2018 5:54 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2018
Standard TrailGot my 2015 Outback all the way to the highest trail head. Pretty easy hike up as far as 14ers go. Very windy on the ridge and summit. Smoke from the nearby fires obscured what otherwise looked like a spectacular view. There are not many signs of civilization from the summit, which is awesome!
connelljanis - Jun 12, 2018 5:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2017
Fun Hike and then...but then I rolled my Jeep on the way out. I blame it on lack of oxygen.
The top is slick with what I call "kitty litter". Take poles.
Poteet - Apr 9, 2018 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2017
Relaxing 14erRelatively easy 14er. Decent steep elevation gain on final leg up. Beautiful day, some clouds started to roll around midday, but no issues. Be prepared to possibly use a little bit of hands last leg if in less than ideal shoes, or lack of poles. No exposure though, so just a dusty fall if you slip.
Wheelbarrow - Feb 6, 2018 12:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2017
#35American Basin was stunning and was a very captivating hike even despite not feeling comfortable enough to stand straight on the summit due to clouds. But there were marmots running around still and I think they have the sixth sense for weather stuff like that. Better SMART than sorry.
MissH - May 27, 2017 4:24 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2017
'MericaKicked off Memorial day weekend with a trip to American Basin. Road still blocked with snow about .75 mi from TH. Still a lot of snow, but it was firm and ideal. Gorgeous day. First 14er with John.
utclimber - Oct 16, 2016 5:22 pm
HandiesNice hike.