Hello SummitPost Folks,

In the 1980s as a kid I hiked and scrambled with my father to an unnamed 12,182' peak on the right side of the amphitheater high above Ouray. Since then I have tried repeatedly to reach this summit without any luck, including an attempt in 2009. I've written up an article about my nearly 30 year history trying to return to this summit, including lots of photos:

http://bit.ly/n6G22z

This is a very large page which will take a while to load.

I'd love to hear from anyone with tales or information about unusual routes up to the top of the beautiful Ouray amphitheater, and hope you enjoy my story.

Best Regards,
Lane R. Ellis

Nice trip-report. I went up the other (north) wing of the Amphitheater in July 1995. I took the marked trail east from the campground to where it crosses the ridge at 10,200' dropping into Cascade Creek. From this point I scrambled onto the ridge itself from the north. It was very steep. I remember needing my ice axe in moss under trees. That was the hardest part of the climb. On top the ridge was a cocks-comb of eroded volcanic hoodoos among the spruce that took some time winding through but nothing other than scrambling. Above treeline things got easier and I followed the ridge, or its north flank, right to the top at 13,117' (the real highpoint - labelled "Cow" on maps). I spent the night there, one of the finest 360-degree views I have seen, and came down via the Bear Creek trail the following morning.

That sounds like a great off-trail adventure, steppendonk, and thanks for posting the fabulous photo with Ouray down below. I used to live in Ouray, in 1978 and 1979, and throughout the 1980s we'd return and stay at the little cabin up the Million Dollar Highway mentioned in my trip report. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for my old hometown and its amazing trails.

I'll check out your route on a map -- maybe it was the start of the Chief Ouray trail you took before heading up and off the trail. I don't think many people do the route you did. I've often wondered about such a route ; when I lived there and even years later I used to have recurring dreams about finding a secret route up to the Ouray amphitheater via Cascade Falls or the Chief Ouray trail. It's a magical area there, but as you said, wildly steep.

Cheers,
Lane

I like that you are still smiling in your photos after your attempts. My only experience with the place is watching it avalanche from a hot tub at the Vic. Every winter that I'm in Ouray I always think about getting up there.

Thanks, FLB. Even though it didn't turn out exactly as I'd hoped, I still had a lot of fun that day, and got to head down the mountain into Ouray to meet my wife for margaritas and Mexican food. For a failed summit attempt, I was pretty happy about it afterward ; partly I think because I decided not to go on without climbing gear, and lived to tell the tale...

Whether it's at the Ouray Victorian Inn, the Wiesbaden or the Ouray Municipal Pool, there's nothing like soaking in the hot water and looking up at the amphitheater -- nothing except knowing you've successfully hiked and climbed up there, that is. It must have been something to see an avalanche while soaking in a hot-tub.

Cheers,
Lane

Lane,
I enjoyed reading about your quest. I hope that you find your way back up to the top. The whole thing reminds me of the sort of thing that I might try to do. For as nice as it is to go to new places, there is something special about revisiting places that you visited years ago.

Thanks, Gareth. I'm glad you enjoyed reading about my attempts to get back to an almost mythical place from my childhood. As a keen family historian and genealogist, I suppose delving into the past is my specialty. I appreciate your comments.

Cheers,
Lane

There really are some special and rare area to explore in the Ouray area. As a former resident, I encourage everyone I meet with an interest in rugged hiking and scrambling to visit San Juan county and take advantage of the amazing terrain, and hope more people discover the hidden treasures the Ouray area holds. Next year I'm hoping to run the Imogene Pass run for the first time.

Cheers,
Lane