Little Cochetopa

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Geography

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Page Type: Route

Location: Colorado, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 38.42300°N / 106.225°W

Route Type: hike, scramble

Time Required: Most of a day

Difficulty: class 2

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Page By: Larry V

Created/Edited: Jul 4, 2005 / Jul 4, 2005

Object ID: 165712

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Table of Contents

Approach

Turn onto County Road 210, two miles west of Poncha Springs. Drive 5 miles south and west to Cochetopa Wildlife Management Area. The road is not maintained past that point and the last three miles to trailhead are rough and require high clearance, 4WD vehicle.

Route Description

Follow the Little Cochetopa trail west as it crosses the creek twice, the second time on an excellent footbridge. The north side of Mount Ouray passes by in review on your left, offering many photo opportunities. The trail is good until it reaches an old log cabin, and even a ways beyond that. You are headed toward a saddle (one of two, depending on snow conditions) on a north-south ridge that is more than a mile west of Ouray�s summit. Once you reach the ridge, follow it south then east to Ouray�s summit.

For your descent, I would recommend a more direct route down the north side of Mount Ouray. Drop off the summit to the north for the first quarter mile. Then follow the ridge line that curves to the northeast. Do not leave the ridge until you reach the first real saddle, at about 11,700�. Any other exit point will subject you to some very steep rock faces, excessive bushwhacking, or both. Descend the large boulder field as far as possible before diving into the trees. Walk straight north through the trees until you reach the creek. If you aim just right you may hit the trail�s lower creek crossing just below the ponds. Otherwise, follow the creek down until you find a suitable crossing, and then join the trail on the other side.

Essential Gear

Topo map. Standard day hiking gear.

Miscellaneous Info

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