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Leon Peak, 11,236 Ft. Mighty High Point of Mesa County
stand three inches shorter than my eldest sibling. This may be the reason I strive to climb high peaks. I am also a Leo so I have a fascination with the high point if Mesa County that resembles a crouching lion. Mesa County may share my Napoleonic nature when compared to other counties in the Colorado that hold much higher summits. Ascending this aesthetic yet rugged peak offers courageous hikers a high alpine experience without even leaving our own back yard!My usual Mesa hike of Crags Crest has suffered severe blow down of trees and the trail is essentially closed. I have longed to climb Leon Peak, now I had a good excuse to go for it. I have read one account of the climb that described a very long scramble up an endless boulder field. The description was all too true but well worth the challenge!
From the parking area at Weir and Johnson Camp ground and the end of the road, head straight for the uphill trail headed for Sissy Lake (aka Leon Peak Reservoir.) Follow this lonely trail around the right side of Round Lake and continue through the gentle forest to higher Sissy Lake. You can view a high gray ridge from this lake but the actual peak hides just behind these rounded points. Take a right at the outlet of Sissy Lake and follow faint trail through downed logs to reach the tail of the long ridge. From here you are on your own but for a few cairns marking the general direction. Be careful wobbling as you wobble up unsteady pillow lava and pumice strewn piles. Staying ridge direct up the lions back requires a slight descent into a cleft then onto the square topped summit. A brief scramble to the right provides a stunning approach to the white-to-lavender columbine and neon lichen peppered “mane” of the lion shaped peak above.
Atop the mighty summit stands a crown in the form of a resilient Fire Lookout Station that was erected in 1911. The rickety lookout is a peculiar site on this remote western peak. Among other titles given the Mesa by the Ute Indians was “Emerald Top,” as the heights of this high plateau receive enough life sustaining moisture in all seasons. Lightning strikes in 1915 forced abandonment of the tower but wildfires are extremely rare except below the rim where watchful eyes can readily send word of trouble. This condition rendered the stoic lookout a historical point but not essential to the Forest Service. The lonely structure now creeks and moans as constant winds claw the few remaining corrugated steel sheets from its flanks.
The exposed panorama over myriad of deep blue lakes and the striking jags of the Elk, San Juan, and distant La Sal Mountains lent a strengthened connection with the open sky and the great Rockies that I was now a part of. After a hearty roar for Mesa County I made the mistake of descending the north side to avoid boulders on the way down. I found myself three drainages from where I started; had to wrestle with deadfall laden slopes, swamp crossings, and a slight feeling of being lost. In light of this I highly recommend suppressing ones pride and returning humbly down the easily followed ridge to Sissy Lake.
After the surprisingly brief alpine safari I relaxed with some fishing from an inflatable kayak at the gorgeous Cottonwood Lakes. I am a less than amateur angler but there’s nothing like bobbing around a glassy lake casting lazily in any direction that strikes you!
I returned home on Forest Development Road #121 down steep and scenic country road through the classic Americana hamlet of Collbran. Fun! Oh yes, be on the look out for wildlife, you probably won’t see any actual lions but beware the newly relocated Moose on the Mesa! The majestic beasts are more dangerous than any cats in this county. I’m told to run around a tree if you get cornered by one. Luckily there is no shortage of trees!
Wanna Go?
Bring It!
Resources
For more information stop by theGrand Mesa Visitor Center # 970-856-4153
Or go to www.grandmesabyway.org
