North Arapaho Pk (13,502')
 

 

INFO:

Date: 10/15/2005

Range: Indian Peaks (Front)

Rank: #255

Trailhead: 4th of July

Route: N to S traverse & OB

Mileage: 10

Elevation Gain: 3,900'

Time: 7 Hours

Participants: Forrest Thorniley

 

 I was looking for a good day trip from Denver, and the Indian Peaks can certainly accommodate.  North Arapaho was another 13er on my list, and I was eager to return to the IPW.  It is the highest of the Indian Peaks, and after reading numerous accounts of the ridge traverse from N to S Arapaho, I decided to have a look for myself.  I  made the 1 1/2 drive from Denver, and reached the 4th of July TH at around 7:45am.  At this point the road is still passable for passenger cars.  There are a few patches of snow on the road, but nothing requiring 4wd yet.

I left the TH at 8:00am, the temperature was around 45.  After firing up the iPod, I made pretty quick work of the lower trail, reaching the saddle between S Arapaho & Old Baldy around 9:45am.  After a short break, I continued on up the east ridge of S Arapaho.  I followed some existing tracks in the snow up to the summit which I reached around 10:30.  At this point I got my first view of the traverse.  It looked interesting! 

My first glimpse of the ridge connecting S and N Arapaho

 
Unfortunately, this is where the boot tracks stopped.  Whoever had been up here last, didn't go further then S Arapaho.  So it would be up to me!  I was wearing some water resistant pants, that had a velcro closure around the boot, which I hoped would suffice.  It didn't take more than a few steps to realize I made an error in not bringing my gaiters and ice axe.  The snow wasn't too deep, but deep enough to get into my boots.  I knew the traverse would take up to 3 hours rt, and the new snow would only slow my pace.  The weather was gorgeous however, and it was still pretty early, so I decided to give it a go.  The first part of the traverse is straightforward, and you easily arrive at about the midpoint of the ridge..  From here it increases in difficulty, with a few class 3 sections ( these were challenging with the new snow).

 

Looking back at S Arapaho and the first part of the traverse

 
My boots were starting to get a little wet, as I was unable to keep my pants from sliding up when I postholed.  If it had been a little colder, I might have chosen to bail, as my feet tend to go numb pretty easily.  Luckily it was quite warm, and I felt good about continuing.  A couple of times during the traverse I ended up doing some sketchy sideways rock scrambling, which was a little unnerving without an axe.  It reminded me a little of a climb up Gilpin Peaks "precarious" route.  Its a good thing these sections were short, and I was soon past the difficulties.

The "difficulties"

 
I finally passed the difficulties, and did a quick hike up to the summit of N Arapaho.  Wow, what a view.  The Arapho glacier was impressive, especially with its new layer of snow.  The traverse had taken me about an hour and ten minutes.  I was starting to get tired at this point (its quite a workout at 13,500')  I took a few photos and started to head back.

Turns anyone?

 
The way back was a little easier, as I knew the correct route, and I could follow my previous tracks.  It ended up taking about the same time, as I arrived back at S Arapaho around 1:00pm.  Glad to again be on safe ground, I quickly made the descent and the 15 minute hike up to Old Baldy 13,038'.  From here I decide to make a straight descent and avoid the switchbacks of the Arapaho Glacier trail (as seen on the map)  I met back up with the trail shortly before the boardwalks.  From here it was a quick jaunt to the parking lot which I reached around 3:00pm.  This traverse should be in good shape at least until the next snowfall.  It was a little more adventure then I had planned on, but was quite fun!

This was # 139 & 140 out of 637 peaks above 13,000'

 

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