Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August 22, 2004
The day was clear and pleasant, but it had hailed the night before and there was still much ice, snow and hail remaining on the route (up to a foot in places). I was hiking with my 23-year-old son Chris, and friend Ramiro. At the saddle, Ramiro immediately decided on the standard route and ascended very quickly. My son and I tried the NW ridge, it was fun for a while, but we ran into a class 4 pitch, the going had been somewhat icy up to this point, and the pitch looked beyond my abilities, so I decided to go back and try the standard North Face route. My son was more confident and continued on up the pitch. He was also at a point that would be difficult to turn back from due to the ice below and the route looked drier up above. (Many Thanks to Al, who we met on the route and who helped my son find his way through the difficult sections.) I watched as my son made it safely back up onto the ridge, and then quickly down-climbed back down to the trail and tackled the North Face route. The first 200 vertical feet so were not too bad, then the footing became very icy and treacherous ! There is also a lot of loose rock here. At times, the hail actually helped with traction, but in other places, it was compacted into a sheet of ice and slippery. I found myself climbing around various sections and eventually made it to the summit where I met up with Chris and Ramiro. it took me five hours to summit from the trail head, where I think It would have normally taken from three to three and half. We all descended the standard route, which was even worse on the way down. This route is somewhat dangerous in bad conditions with very bad footing and potential for rock fall. If I were to do this again, I would carry an ice ax and use a helmet. I felt that this mountain was under-rated for difficulty, at least in these conditions. We made it down to the saddle in about an hour and to the trail-head an hour after that. Beautiful mountain, though, and tremendous view of Blanca Peak!
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 8, 2004
Climbed up and down Northwest Ridge. It was a fun scramble and looked a lot less scary than the gully. I tagged Iron Nipple on the way down. This is well worth the extra fortyfive minutes. I also thought the Huerfano River Valley was spectacular. What a pretty area!
Route Climbed: North Face Route from Lily Lake TH Date Climbed: August 6, 2004
I decided to try the North Face Route to see what it is actually like. I didn't think it was as bad as people make it out to be. I climbed the 3rd class rock to the right of the loose gully, and found it to be a fine climb. I took this rock all the way to the summit ridge below the false summit, instead of veering to the left as the trail goes. The rock fall danger is exceedingly high here. I was the first one up that day, and that made it much better. Definitely bring your helmet!!
By the way, my Ford Explorer made it all the way to the TH with no problems, if anyone is wondering what the road is like.
By all means, stay on the ridge crest on the way up! Way less loose rock and fun scrambling, too. Descending the north face made for a good loop, though, because our poor dog didn't like the exposure on the ridge very much.
Route Climbed: just below NW ridge Date Climbed: August 2000
This was my second time to summit Mt. Lindsey, in three attempts. I have seen all types of conditions on this mountain - fog, high winds, rain, hail, snow, static electricity, lightning, even total darkness. (My brother wanted to do a night climb.) See sunset photo taken near the summit on this trip.
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: September 23, 2001
An interesting and scenic mountain. This was my 10 month old puppy Sopris's 3rd fourteener in a week... (Blanca and Elingwood being her first two). The north face was encrusted with ice in the areas that were shaded from the sun and we tried to stick to the rock shelves on the right as they were much more pleasant then the scree of the central gulley.
Route Climbed: North Face - 8 miles, 3,400 vertical Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2002
I attempted Lindsey the year before, so I knew what to expect on this hike. The views of Blanca were spectacular this morning. Once at the saddle (13,200 feet) about the place I quit last year the trail narrows and gets steeper. I headed to the class 2+ chute and started to climb it staying mainly to the right of all of the loose stuff. The right side of the chute had a lot of places to put your hands and feet and its really stable rock. There was one part that was a little tricky but not too bad. At the summit I had some great views of the area and I got a great view of Blanca’s North Face. I sat on the summit for about a half hour and down I went.
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: July 19, 2003
Phenomenal climb. Rock at the crux is bomb-proof solid. Some exposure, but not as bad as advertized. I'd climb this ridge every day of the week and twice on Sunday compared to the shooting gallery on the north face.
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: July 12, 2003
We started from the standard Huerfano River TH, and made the ridge in about two hours, and the summit in three.
We stayed to the right of the scree in the couliers on some solid rock, which made it alot easier. Coming down that scree was not that pleasant, however.
The weather was picture perfect - no wind, clouds, and temperatures pretty high for 14,042 feet.
It surprises me that Lindsey doesn't see more traffic considering the spectacular area that it resides in. I mean this area really is a step up in scenic beauty. The Blanca Massif and the Iron Nipple will blow you away! The Huerfano Valley is too large for life. Lindsey is a nice step up in difficulty if you want to try something more technical than a class 2 hike.
Route Climbed: North Face Couloirs Date Climbed: September 7, 2002
Climbed the Noth Face couloirs withs some people from Denver Colorado Mountain Club. Nice group of people. I did not mind the loose rock in the couloir but the guide books should suggest helmets on this one. The mountain looks intimidating from the saddle but once you get closer, it is fine.
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 11, 2002
Good climb. I stayed on the north ridge instead of entering the "bowling ball" class 2 chute. The rock was fairly solid and pleasant. It felt more like climbing than trudging up loose scree. There are several variations up the north ridge with minimal route finding needed. Great views of Blanca!
goforit - Aug 25, 2004 6:41 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August 22, 2004The day was clear and pleasant, but it had hailed the night before and there was still much ice, snow and hail remaining on the route (up to a foot in places). I was hiking with my 23-year-old son Chris, and friend Ramiro. At the saddle, Ramiro immediately decided on the standard route and ascended very quickly. My son and I tried the NW ridge, it was fun for a while, but we ran into a class 4 pitch, the going had been somewhat icy up to this point, and the pitch looked beyond my abilities, so I decided to go back and try the standard North Face route. My son was more confident and continued on up the pitch. He was also at a point that would be difficult to turn back from due to the ice below and the route looked drier up above. (Many Thanks to Al, who we met on the route and who helped my son find his way through the difficult sections.) I watched as my son made it safely back up onto the ridge, and then quickly down-climbed back down to the trail and tackled the North Face route. The first 200 vertical feet so were not too bad, then the footing became very icy and treacherous ! There is also a lot of loose rock here. At times, the hail actually helped with traction, but in other places, it was compacted into a sheet of ice and slippery. I found myself climbing around various sections and eventually made it to the summit where I met up with Chris and Ramiro. it took me five hours to summit from the trail head, where I think It would have normally taken from three to three and half. We all descended the standard route, which was even worse on the way down. This route is somewhat dangerous in bad conditions with very bad footing and potential for rock fall. If I were to do this again, I would carry an ice ax and use a helmet. I felt that this mountain was under-rated for difficulty, at least in these conditions. We made it down to the saddle in about an hour and to the trail-head an hour after that. Beautiful mountain, though, and tremendous view of Blanca Peak!
Andy - Aug 9, 2004 10:14 am
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 8, 2004Climbed up and down Northwest Ridge. It was a fun scramble and looked a lot less scary than the gully. I tagged Iron Nipple on the way down. This is well worth the extra fortyfive minutes. I also thought the Huerfano River Valley was spectacular. What a pretty area!
Ed F - Aug 9, 2004 9:36 am
Route Climbed: North Face Route from Lily Lake TH Date Climbed: August 6, 2004I decided to try the North Face Route to see what it is actually like. I didn't think it was as bad as people make it out to be. I climbed the 3rd class rock to the right of the loose gully, and found it to be a fine climb. I took this rock all the way to the summit ridge below the false summit, instead of veering to the left as the trail goes. The rock fall danger is exceedingly high here. I was the first one up that day, and that made it much better. Definitely bring your helmet!!
By the way, my Ford Explorer made it all the way to the TH with no problems, if anyone is wondering what the road is like.
DaveC - May 21, 2004 9:04 pm
Route Climbed: west ridge up, standard down Date Climbed: june 99the standard route sucked; the west ridge was one of my introductions to steeper rock and 4th class climbing. loved it.
sbkelley - May 12, 2004 3:31 pm
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: July 2002By all means, stay on the ridge crest on the way up! Way less loose rock and fun scrambling, too. Descending the north face made for a good loop, though, because our poor dog didn't like the exposure on the ridge very much.
RyanS - Apr 9, 2004 6:07 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2002The ridge crest is where it's at, folks! If I had known better, I'd have descended that way, too! A trip report is available here.
Larry V - Apr 8, 2004 1:09 am
Route Climbed: just below NW ridge Date Climbed: August 2000This was my second time to summit Mt. Lindsey, in three attempts. I have seen all types of conditions on this mountain - fog, high winds, rain, hail, snow, static electricity, lightning, even total darkness. (My brother wanted to do a night climb.) See sunset photo taken near the summit on this trip.
hhsilleck - Jan 10, 2004 7:27 pm
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: July 2001Awesome hike and fun short scramble to the summit - one of my favorite Colorado hikes.
JonBradford - Nov 1, 2003 9:04 pm
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: September 23, 2001An interesting and scenic mountain. This was my 10 month old puppy Sopris's 3rd fourteener in a week... (Blanca and Elingwood being her first two). The north face was encrusted with ice in the areas that were shaded from the sun and we tried to stick to the rock shelves on the right as they were much more pleasant then the scree of the central gulley.
An excellent mountain even for a fourteener.
Jon Bradford
Grant - Sep 10, 2003 10:11 pm
Route Climbed: North Face - 8 miles, 3,400 vertical Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2002I attempted Lindsey the year before, so I knew what to expect on this hike. The views of Blanca were spectacular this morning. Once at the saddle (13,200 feet) about the place I quit last year the trail narrows and gets steeper. I headed to the class 2+ chute and started to climb it staying mainly to the right of all of the loose stuff. The right side of the chute had a lot of places to put your hands and feet and its really stable rock. There was one part that was a little tricky but not too bad. At the summit I had some great views of the area and I got a great view of Blanca’s North Face. I sat on the summit for about a half hour and down I went.
big_g - Sep 2, 2003 10:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2003
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: 2 Sep 2003What a fun climb and the scenery was spectacular. Weather great until long after I left. I stayed class 3 to the top.
Then on to the Iron Nipple and that centennial 13er for dessert.
DaFreshman - Jul 22, 2003 11:23 am
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: July 19, 2003Phenomenal climb. Rock at the crux is bomb-proof solid. Some exposure, but not as bad as advertized. I'd climb this ridge every day of the week and twice on Sunday compared to the shooting gallery on the north face.
mr_g - Jul 14, 2003 5:06 am
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: July 12, 2003We started from the standard Huerfano River TH, and made the ridge in about two hours, and the summit in three.
We stayed to the right of the scree in the couliers on some solid rock, which made it alot easier. Coming down that scree was not that pleasant, however.
The weather was picture perfect - no wind, clouds, and temperatures pretty high for 14,042 feet.
Kane - Jun 8, 2003 5:46 pm
Route Climbed: North face Date Climbed: 6-8-2003It surprises me that Lindsey doesn't see more traffic considering the spectacular area that it resides in. I mean this area really is a step up in scenic beauty. The Blanca Massif and the Iron Nipple will blow you away! The Huerfano Valley is too large for life. Lindsey is a nice step up in difficulty if you want to try something more technical than a class 2 hike.
ctruscot - Sep 8, 2002 8:05 am
Route Climbed: North Face Couloirs Date Climbed: September 7, 2002Climbed the Noth Face couloirs withs some people from Denver Colorado Mountain Club. Nice group of people. I did not mind the loose rock in the couloir but the guide books should suggest helmets on this one. The mountain looks intimidating from the saddle but once you get closer, it is fine.
Fun day ! Such a nice variety of scenery!
rmjwinters - Aug 18, 2002 9:39 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 11, 2002Good climb. I stayed on the north ridge instead of entering the "bowling ball" class 2 chute. The rock was fairly solid and pleasant. It felt more like climbing than trudging up loose scree. There are several variations up the north ridge with minimal route finding needed. Great views of Blanca!
climbcolorado - Aug 20, 2001 2:45 pm
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: 6/15/01My dog and I climbed in mid June and there was allot of snow! A ice axe was needed and we postholed a few times.