Does anyone know if there is an alternate route up Steamboat-East that is less vertical? I have had to turn back twice due to weather on the Dearborn route, and since those attempts I have developed chronic pain and fatigue which makes that route difficult, but still want to make the summit if I can!
I don't think there's any route which avoids the elevation gain or makes it more gradual. The approach from Patrol (Steamboat) Mountain to the northeast involves a long ridge traverse with elevation gain and loss...see Tom Kotynski's guide book for his opinion on that hike and the time needed for it.
You could probably continue farther west into the wilderness area till you're west of the low cliff band and work your way up, but you'd be in heavy timber with roughly the same elevation profile as the "standard" route.
kcstimson - Dec 7, 2022 10:20 am - Hasn't voted
Alternate routes?Does anyone know if there is an alternate route up Steamboat-East that is less vertical? I have had to turn back twice due to weather on the Dearborn route, and since those attempts I have developed chronic pain and fatigue which makes that route difficult, but still want to make the summit if I can!
wiredroach - Dec 7, 2022 4:04 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Alternate routes?I don't think there's any route which avoids the elevation gain or makes it more gradual. The approach from Patrol (Steamboat) Mountain to the northeast involves a long ridge traverse with elevation gain and loss...see Tom Kotynski's guide book for his opinion on that hike and the time needed for it.
You could probably continue farther west into the wilderness area till you're west of the low cliff band and work your way up, but you'd be in heavy timber with roughly the same elevation profile as the "standard" route.
Hope this helps,
Eric
kcstimson - Dec 8, 2022 9:38 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Alternate routes?Thank you for the response! I'll look into the book, and if anything, I'll just do my best to train and hopefully build that stamina back up!