Solo big loop of the area, Cunningham Gulch up to PT 12905, then out and back to "Beartown Bald" and followed the Whitehead Trail around the back of the Highland Mary Lakes area to PT 12936, then up the 13109-Whitehead saddle. Followed the ridge from 13109 over Whitehead and Rhoda to Mountaineer and down Spencer Basin. Great way to enjoy a clear day.
ajberry - Jun 27, 2017 10:36 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2017
Kendall Peak to Whitehead
Parked on Kendall Mtn rd at intersection with Deer Park rd. Kendall Pk via pass above Titusville mine (nasty steep scree!). Over Pt 13409 (looks harder than it is; head up NW ridge to vertical turret segment and then scramble round to climber's right on to upper reaches of W face) and on over Rhoda to Whitehead and pt 13109. Down via the Whitehead trail across Deer Park to the Deer Park rd.
Kiefer - Aug 25, 2016 9:26 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2016
Via Elk Park
I hiked up a nameless ridge directly from Elk Park to Arrow BM. I looped over to Whitehead & 13,109'. Very long route that had more plans but weather had other ideas.
spoliquin - Mar 8, 2014 8:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2013
The Magic Bus!
From Deer park by the bus but then around 13,109 and out to Lost lake. Hit Whitehead and MT Rhoda on the way back to Deer park. Amazing views of the Grenadiers!!
Nice hike with Duchess. We originally planned to come from Highland Mary Lakes, but the road to Stony Pass was closed (Hardrock 100 mile race was taking place), so we came from the west via Deer Creek.
I did a similar loop like Sarah Thompson - we got up UN 13109 and UN 13434, Rhoda and Whitehead, but no Kendall - we got hailed on. We were completely alone, and Duchess at 14 years of age did great!
LadyWawa - Nov 24, 2011 8:53 am Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2011
Another great SP event in the San Juan's...with a bonus trip to the lakes since I didn't know the route. Next time I'm bringing a fishing pole...and maybe a copy of the map!
Scott - Jul 22, 2010 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
Whitehead
This climb was part of the 2010 Summitpost gathering in the San Juan Mountains. Kessler and I decided to join the activity. The group met at 5:45 AM at Silverton. We carpooled to the trailhead, but there was some confusion as to where the trailhead actually was, so we ended up walking some extra distance.
We followed the trail up to near Highland Mary Lakes to where we left the trail and climbed up Whitehead Peak. After climbing Whitehead Peak, we climbed the ridge south over to Mount Rhoda where we all had a short rest. Most people went around the cliffs back to the ridgeline, but Kessler and I climbed down the cliffs directly, just for fun.
The group then climbed over to Peak 13,434 where we had lunch. It was also decision time. There were some poofy clouds to the east, but the wind was coming from the southwest where it was clear. I thought we’d be OK to go on to the next peak (especially since the rest of the ridge was gentle), but was outvoted.
All three peaks we climbed over had some nice views of the more rugged peaks in the San Juans including the Grenadiers and Needles.
After enjoying the views we all headed back down the mountain through the Spencer Basin. I stopped in the Spencer Basin to talk to Aaron and other members of the group, but I had to almost run down the mountain to catch up with my son Kessler. We had made a deal that the last one of us down the mountain was a princess. I guess I can be called Princess Dad for the next little while.
colinpence - Jul 21, 2010 1:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
2010 SP gathering
Perfect weather, awesome wildflowers and an excellent group of people to climb with. What more could I ask for?
chicagotransplant - Jul 19, 2010 10:17 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
SP Gathering
Joined the gang for a fantastic loop high above Highland Mary Lakes, PT 13109, Whitehead, Rhoda and PT 13434 then back down via Spencer Basin to the cars and off to Silverton.
Sarah Simon - Jul 18, 2010 9:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
From Highland Mary Lakes
...and to think one of our trip members lugged a jumbo box of Sugar Pops! to the summit of this peak. What a day: Lovely scenery, gonzo wildflowers, fantastic company.
to think one of our trip members lugged a jumbo box of Sugar Pops! to the summit of this peak.
Sarah--I have the photo to prove it!
Alan Ellis - Jul 18, 2010 10:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
SP Gathering
Great day at the SP Gathering!
SarahThompson - Sep 8, 2008 11:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2008
From Deer Park, Amazing view of Grenadiers!
Started the hike from about 11,500 ft in Deer Park drainage. 4WD road from Silverton is very steep and loose in places and has a few tight turns, but is fairly well maintained and doesn't require extreme clearance. How a school bus got up there I do not know, but its a permanent part of the landscape now! Did a loop over UN 13109, Whitehead (unranked), Rhoda, UN 13434 & Kendall Peak. Views into the Grenadiers were the best I've seen yet, especially of Vestal's Wham Ridge.
chicagotransplant - Sep 8, 2020 8:20 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2020
Big LoopSolo big loop of the area, Cunningham Gulch up to PT 12905, then out and back to "Beartown Bald" and followed the Whitehead Trail around the back of the Highland Mary Lakes area to PT 12936, then up the 13109-Whitehead saddle. Followed the ridge from 13109 over Whitehead and Rhoda to Mountaineer and down Spencer Basin. Great way to enjoy a clear day.
ajberry - Jun 27, 2017 10:36 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2017
Kendall Peak to WhiteheadParked on Kendall Mtn rd at intersection with Deer Park rd. Kendall Pk via pass above Titusville mine (nasty steep scree!). Over Pt 13409 (looks harder than it is; head up NW ridge to vertical turret segment and then scramble round to climber's right on to upper reaches of W face) and on over Rhoda to Whitehead and pt 13109. Down via the Whitehead trail across Deer Park to the Deer Park rd.
Kiefer - Aug 25, 2016 9:26 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2016
Via Elk ParkI hiked up a nameless ridge directly from Elk Park to Arrow BM. I looped over to Whitehead & 13,109'. Very long route that had more plans but weather had other ideas.
spoliquin - Mar 8, 2014 8:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2013
The Magic Bus!From Deer park by the bus but then around 13,109 and out to Lost lake. Hit Whitehead and MT Rhoda on the way back to Deer park. Amazing views of the Grenadiers!!
Liba Kopeckova - Jul 12, 2013 6:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2013
Nice hikeNice hike with Duchess. We originally planned to come from Highland Mary Lakes, but the road to Stony Pass was closed (Hardrock 100 mile race was taking place), so we came from the west via Deer Creek.
I did a similar loop like Sarah Thompson - we got up UN 13109 and UN 13434, Rhoda and Whitehead, but no Kendall - we got hailed on. We were completely alone, and Duchess at 14 years of age did great!
LadyWawa - Nov 24, 2011 8:53 am Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2011
Lovely!Lovely climb!
ShredDeb - Jul 27, 2010 4:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
SP GatheringAnother great SP event in the San Juan's...with a bonus trip to the lakes since I didn't know the route. Next time I'm bringing a fishing pole...and maybe a copy of the map!
cruzit - Jul 24, 2010 10:43 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
SP Gathering 2010Gotta love the view.
Kessler - Jul 22, 2010 11:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
Whitehead7-17-10
Scott - Jul 22, 2010 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
WhiteheadThis climb was part of the 2010 Summitpost gathering in the San Juan Mountains. Kessler and I decided to join the activity. The group met at 5:45 AM at Silverton. We carpooled to the trailhead, but there was some confusion as to where the trailhead actually was, so we ended up walking some extra distance.
We followed the trail up to near Highland Mary Lakes to where we left the trail and climbed up Whitehead Peak. After climbing Whitehead Peak, we climbed the ridge south over to Mount Rhoda where we all had a short rest. Most people went around the cliffs back to the ridgeline, but Kessler and I climbed down the cliffs directly, just for fun.
The group then climbed over to Peak 13,434 where we had lunch. It was also decision time. There were some poofy clouds to the east, but the wind was coming from the southwest where it was clear. I thought we’d be OK to go on to the next peak (especially since the rest of the ridge was gentle), but was outvoted.
All three peaks we climbed over had some nice views of the more rugged peaks in the San Juans including the Grenadiers and Needles.
After enjoying the views we all headed back down the mountain through the Spencer Basin. I stopped in the Spencer Basin to talk to Aaron and other members of the group, but I had to almost run down the mountain to catch up with my son Kessler. We had made a deal that the last one of us down the mountain was a princess. I guess I can be called Princess Dad for the next little while.
colinpence - Jul 21, 2010 1:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
2010 SP gatheringPerfect weather, awesome wildflowers and an excellent group of people to climb with. What more could I ask for?
chicagotransplant - Jul 19, 2010 10:17 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
SP GatheringJoined the gang for a fantastic loop high above Highland Mary Lakes, PT 13109, Whitehead, Rhoda and PT 13434 then back down via Spencer Basin to the cars and off to Silverton.
Sarah Simon - Jul 18, 2010 9:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
From Highland Mary Lakes...and to think one of our trip members lugged a jumbo box of Sugar Pops! to the summit of this peak. What a day: Lovely scenery, gonzo wildflowers, fantastic company.
colinpence - Jul 21, 2010 1:31 am
Re: From Highland Mary Lakesto think one of our trip members lugged a jumbo box of Sugar Pops! to the summit of this peak.
Sarah--I have the photo to prove it!
Alan Ellis - Jul 18, 2010 10:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
SP GatheringGreat day at the SP Gathering!
SarahThompson - Sep 8, 2008 11:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2008
From Deer Park, Amazing view of Grenadiers!Started the hike from about 11,500 ft in Deer Park drainage. 4WD road from Silverton is very steep and loose in places and has a few tight turns, but is fairly well maintained and doesn't require extreme clearance. How a school bus got up there I do not know, but its a permanent part of the landscape now! Did a loop over UN 13109, Whitehead (unranked), Rhoda, UN 13434 & Kendall Peak. Views into the Grenadiers were the best I've seen yet, especially of Vestal's Wham Ridge.
ouray19 - Sep 17, 2007 10:27 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
WhiteheadAscended from Highland Mary Lakes. Great views. Quick summit visit due to high wind and rain!
nader - Jul 27, 2003 5:52 pm
Route Climbed: Highland Mary Lakes Date Climbed: July 2, 2003A perfectly sunny day but extremely windy above the treeline. Best views of the Grenadiers.