Tabeguache Peak

The previous weekend's hike and climb of Ellingwood Point Ellingwood Point really taxed me and I was still feeling sore midweek. I had been thinking of trying Conundrum Peak (14,060') next, which requires climbing over Castle Peak (14,265') on the way there and back over again on the return. But with Glenwood Canyon being closed due to a forest fire and traffic rerouted over Independence Pass, getting to Conundrum Peak near Aspen via vehicle and foot was more than I wanted to deal with.

My first climb of the season was aborted due to high winds along the west ridge to Tabeguache Peak—40 mph winds with gusts to 60 mph made standing, much less hiking, a struggle. One moment I was leaning into the wind, then the next moment stumbling forward as the wind lulled. Then when I recovered and managed to stand straight up, a gust would knock me back. I ended up turning around about a third of the way along the west ridge. I figured I was in (somewhat) better shape now, and the only weather I had to worry about was the smoke from all the western fires. Since when did I start to think that an eight mile hike to over 14,000 feet was a gentler, easier recovery climb?

I camped at the Jennings Creek trailhead, only slightly surprised to be the only one there as the west ridge is an alternate route. Most hikers/climbers approach Tabeguache Peak via Mt. Shavano on the east side. I had climbed Mt. Shavano in 2004 with a co-worker, but he wasn't interested in the traverse to Tabeguache Peak on that climb. Last year I thought about trying to climb Tabeguache Peak from Browns Lake on the north side, but after climbing Mt. Antero the day before, I didn't feel up to trying another climb as well as having to backpack out on the same day.

An early start allowed me to make it all the way up the valley and to the saddle before the sun reached me. From the saddle it became clear how much smoke was in the air, as visibility was definitely restricted. Peaks such as Mt. Antero at less than four miles away were hazy, and Mt Princeton about nine miles away was barely visible. Mt. Yale 15 miles away could not be seen. Hiking along the ridge line without fighting the wind was so much nicer than it was on my last attempt. I enjoyed a nice view back down the valley from just past where I turned around last time. Oh look, I can actually see another hiker in the valley—I'm not the only one doing this approach.

About halfway along the summit ridge I went around the unnamed 13,936' foot peak and could finally see Tabeguache Peak. The ridge is a nice hike until the last scramble to the summit which was a bit tricky. It was fun to finish that scramble and see the looks of astonishment as other climbers on the summit tried to figure out where I had come from.

There were several groups on the summit, with more on the way from Mt. Shavano. Of course they had to go back over Mt. Shavano to return as well. Most of them looked really discouraged when looking back at having to re-climb Shavano. I took some pictures and finally noticed that it wasn't thick smoke, but it was rain to the north.

There were just some light sprinkles as I was coming down the ridge, and the only thunder I heard wasn't until I had reached the saddle to start back down the valley. I stopped to talk with a couple groups that were just hiking in the valley hoping to see some wildlife. I never saw any myself, but I did see lots of standing, twisted, whitewashed trees. I bet under moonlight or dusk/dawn conditions they would be really spooky.

Checking off Tabeguache Peak means I have now completed the Sawatch (Collegiate) mountain range.

Pictures

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