Henry Mountain

Page Type
Mountain/Rock
Location:
Colorado, United States, North America
Lat/Lon:
38.68560°N / 106.6211°W
County:
Gunnison
Activities:
Hiking
Season:
Spring, Summer
Elevation:
13254 ft / 4040 m
Sign the Climber's Log!
7794 Hits
88.61% Score
27 Votes
Share
Tweet
G+1
StumbleUpon
Log in
to vote
Page By:
John Kirk
Henry Mountain
Created On: Sep 17, 2008
Last Edited On: Sep 18, 2008
Table of Contents

Overview

  
  Henry Mountain from Fairview Peak

     Henry Mountain is the highest point of a west-trending spur of the Sawatch Range that terminates with Fossil Ridge, designated Fossil Ridge Wilderness. At 13,254', the peak is not especially a target of most Colorado peakbaggers, however, prominence and isolation measure high for this somewhat obscure peak. The closest higher peak is 10.93 miles away on the crest of the Continental Divide, and Henry rises nearly 1,700' above the saddle connecting it to the spine of the Sawatch Range. From Gold Creek Campground, Henry Mountain makes for a moderate hike/scramble with some opportunities for visiting other nearby peaks and geological anomalies, for which Fossil Ridge is named. Henry Mountain can be a fine spring climb as ridges can be followed avoiding avalanche slopes (click here for May trip report).


Comparison of June vs. May conditions


Usually Square Top Mountain is climbed first to get to Henry Mountain (see link for Jon Bradford's informative Square Top Mountain page), but this is not the easiest route. Square Top's 3rd class East Ridge can be avoided by ascending Fossil Mountain from Mill Lake, then traversing from Fossil to Square Top Mountain. If you're up for a scramble, Square Top's East Ridge has really good quality rock and provides some excitement. Nearby Broncho Mountain at 12,864' makes a nice follow-up to Henry and Square Top on the east side of Gunsight Pass, and those who are very ambitious can continue on to Fairview Peak, collecting a few 12ers en-route (see trip report).



Ridge near Gunsight Pass - photo by RyanS


Fossil Mountain from the east - the alternative to the 3rd class ridge above

Per Exploring Colorado's Wild Areas by Scott S. Warren,
"Much of the Fossil Ridge Wilderness consists of sedimentary rocks that overlie a mix of Precambrian Granite, Schist, and gneiss. These sedimentary formations include limestone and sandstone dating back to the Paleozoic era, 300 million to 600 million years ago. Many Fossils of marine invertebrates are found here."

Geological Curiosities:



Fossils in Limestone
Textured Talus

Getting There

Gold Creek trailhead is accessed from Parlin on road 76, 12 miles east of Gunnison on highway 50. After 8.5 miles northeast on this road to the townsite of Ohio, head north 6.5 miles of dirt road to Gold Creek Campground. Private property lines much of the road on approach to Gold Creek. See route section for more detail.


Henry Mountain from Gunsight Pass

Camping

Gold Creek Campground is well maintained. Link: activities.wildernet.com

Hiking in to set up a camp near Lamphier Lake is also an option (suggested by Jon Bradford).

External Links

Additional Peak info: Henry Mountain

Weather Link:
forecast.weather.gov
Snowpack:
www.nohrsc.nws.gov


Henry Mountain from saddle of Square Top/Fossil Mountain





Images

View Henry Mountain Image Gallery - 13 Images


Henry Mountain

Mountain/Rock
13 Images 2 Climber's Log Entries 0 Comments 0 Additions & Corrections

Children

1 Routes
1 Trip Reports

Geography

MyTopo Map Nearby Mountains & Rocks Interactive Map Mountains & Rocks in Colorado

Parents

Colorado 13ersMountains & Rocks