Reconnoiter Peak

Overview

Reconnoiter Peak is a beautiful summit in northern San Juans. It provides amazing views, solitude and mostly trail access with minimal scree terrain (until the last section to reach the summit). It is good to study a topo map prior attempting this peak. I went unprepared and scrambled on some loose rock with class 4/5 sections, but on the way down found class 2 trail!

Reconnoiter is only 20 feet short of being a 13er. 

Colorado Rank: 650

Quad: Mount Sneffels

Parent Lineage: Mount Ridgway

Class: 2 (if you are on the easiest route)

I chose to hike Reconnoiter Peak as my only objective for the day. I have done all other ranked peaks in the Sneffels range, and enjoy returning to explore different approaches. I live close by and consider San Juans my home. Many peak baggers combine Reconnoiter Peak with Corbett Ridge, Angel Knob, Whitehouse Mountain, and Mount Ridgway. This is a big loop and does involve a lot more bushwhacking. I was happy with my route from Blaine Basin. There is a trail all the way to the basin below the saddle between Mount Ridgway and Reconnoiter Peak. The ascent into the saddle was on a grassy terrain - no scree!

Guide to the Colorado Mountains with Robert Ormes provides only a brief mention of Reconnoiter Peak. "From East Blaine Basin, attempts can be made up the eastern end of the cirque on Mount Ridgway (13,468'), known as S2 to the San Juan Mountaineers, or to the top of the ridge extending 0.7 mile northwest of Ridgway called Reconnointer Peak by climbers."

Getting There

Route

Follow Dallas Trail/Blaine Basin Trail on a good trail as it ascends into Blaine Basin. Dallas Trail turn off, there are signs at all intersections. The trail leads through forested area and you don't get many views until you reach Blaine Basin. Mount Sneffels looks really majestic from here. The trail splits and you take the east fork of the trail. Follow this trail as it ascends along a small creek into a big basin between Cirque Mountain, Teakettle, Mount Ridgway and Reconnoiter Peak. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the trail went all the way up there and it was easy to follow it. I ascended the grassy slopes up to the saddle and since I did not bring any information about the actual route, I started to explore. I took a narrow and steep looking gully, which pretty quickly became class 5 chimney. I continued up on loose terrain, handholds crumbling and eventually reached the summit. I did find a nice class 2 path on my way down! So, please look at the photo and study the route if not interested in exposed loose scrambling. 

My single mountain trip was 12 miles and I have noticed that above mentioned combination with Corbett, Angel Know, Whitehouse, and Ridgway is only 11 miles, but my terrain was easier, mostly on a trail. The combination with other peaks will involve a lot of class 3 scrambling, loose scree etc. 

Red Tape

There is no red tape. Hiking the Blaine Basin trail, camping, and exploring the area are free. 

gThere are some prohibitions listed in Mount Sneffels Wilderness website: 1. Entering the area with more than 15 people per group and maximum combination of people and stock not to exceed 25 per group. 2. Camping within 100 feet of any lake. 3. Building a fire within 100 feet of any lake or trail and above treeline. 4. Storing equipment, personal property, or supplies for longer than 7 days.

When to Climb

Any time is good, but the road to Blue Lakes/Blaine Basin Trailhead is closed in the winter. Summer is the easiest. Early summer may be better since the upper slopes will be covered with snow and you can snow climb instead of scree hike.

Always check avalanche forecast if venturing out in the winter. 

Camping

Free dispersed camping is available at the Blue Lake/Blaine Basin Trailhead. This area if very popular, so nice campsites may be taken on summer weekend. You can also backpack to Blaine Basin and camp in that area. 

External Links

• Reconnoiter Peak on List of John
• Reconnoiter Peak on Peakbagger

Images

View Reconnoiter Peak Image Gallery - 11 Images