Contribute  Loading...
Geography Parents Loading... Routes
| East Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.17920°N / 106.5071°W Route Type: Scramble Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 3
| Route Quality: | | | | Loading...
| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Oct 28, 2002 / Jun 16, 2006 Object ID: 157258 Hits: 1214 Loading... Page Score: 86.15% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachSee the GETTING THERE section on the main page.
Route DescriptionProceed by following Kaner's route, but instead of leaving the trail where he suggests, proceed further north up the valley.
Keep an eye on the East Ridge buttress, the great hump that sits in front of Mount Oklahoma. Your approach will be from the right, up a great slope which steepens to the top of this hump. Leave the trail where it seems suitable, preferably when you are level with the bottom of the slope to minimize climbing and altitude loss. The optimal location is just below the upper Half Moon Lake, which gives level and direct access toward the slope you will climb. Study the route you prefer to take as you approach the ramp. Study Kaner's pictures in the photo section, which illustrate the the increasing steepness of the slope just before the top of the hump.
We were surprised that this ramp turned out to be steeper than it looks, and a bit more difficult than anticipated. We expected Class 2+ climbing and got into very invigorating Class 3 terrain. Route finding might find easier or harder terrain, depending on your taste. Our line was a direct ascent. A number of briefly exposed sections were encountered, but the moves did not exceed Class 3 difficulty.
Once on top of the mound of the east ridge, the route joins up with Kaner's east slopes route, angling north-northwest for a Class 2 finish. If you like climbing, return the same route. For a nice tour and loop trip, return via Kaner's east slopes route, which is what we did. Some good route finding will keep you out of soggy spots in the lower part of the valley, just before you rendezvous with the trail.
As Kaner says, there is no official trail on the mountain. Oklahoma is a wild place, remaining as it was when it was created. Route finding is part of the experience and makes Oklahoma such an engaging experience. This is wilderness, so please treat it accordingly.
Essential GearStandard hiking gear will do during summer and fall. Full winter gear for winter outings, but this long haul would be made longer in such conditions.
Miscellaneous InfoIf you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
Images
|
|
Sawatch Range
