Mt. Richthofen is located on the north end of the Never Summer Range, and at 12,940 feet, is the highest mountain of the range and the immediate area. Richthofen rises on the NW corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. The south and east faces are in the park. The north and west faces are in the Colorado State Forest. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in northern Colorado.

Viewed from the Cameron Pass area on Highway 14, the nearby Nokhu Crags are striking and somewhat unexpected for the area. Lake Agnes is a beautiful and pristine body of water with a charming island. The lake is surrounded by rugged peaks that rise abruptly two to three thousand feet within two miles.

Richthofen was named for a German scientist, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen, apparently by Clarence King's 1870 survey team. Richthofen is known for generating early maps of California and China.

Do not underestimate this mountain's potential by its elevation. This mountain is a steep Class 3 climb, and proved to be more challenging and interesting than anticipated. The distance is short, but proves nonetheless to be a full day's outing because most of the effort is in climbing, not walking. Some experience in Class 2 or 3 scrambling is recommended, but inexperienced folks would do fine on this mountain under experienced leadership.

Needles and Grenadiers explorerer William S. Cooper climbed Mount Richtofen by himself in 1908 in what is presumed to be the first ascent. No sign of previous climbers were present at that time.

Getting There

Most will approach the trailhead from the east. From Interstate 25, take the Fort Collins exit for Highway 14, also denoted as a Colorado Scenic Byway. Proceed west on 14 through town, following the signs, which is not complicated. At "Ted's Place," is the junction with Highway 287. Measure from this point, although the signage along the highway is very clear. It is 62 miles to the turn off for Lake Agnes and Michigan Lakes. This turn off is 2 miles west from the top of Cameron Pass. This left turn is well marked.

Once you've dropped into the valley, you'll need to stop at a fee station. See the RED TAPE section. The area and mountain you are about to experience are certainly worth the small fee.

Proceed up the road, staying right. The left turn takes you to the Michigan Lakes area. The road is steep, and just before the parking area, low clearance cars might scrape their bottoms in a rocky patch, but most vehicles can make this road in dry conditions. The parking area is small, so an early arrival time is recommended. There are restroom facilities at the trailhead.

Red Tape

Lake Agnes is in the Colorado State Forest, which is a fee area. Day use fees have gone up from $4.00 to $5.00 per vehicle. Thanks to SP member Andy Leach for this important update.

For more information concerning Colorado's State Forest and other state parks:

Colorado State Forest

When To Climb

July through September are best for climbing in this area. June snow climbs would be good outings since the area normally receives great amounts of snow. Winter ascents of Mount Richthofen and the surrounding peaks are not recommended. The topography of this area is immediate and avalanche danger would be constant beyond Lake Agnes. Proceed with extreme caution if you decide to execute a winter climb in this area. The Colorado State Forest promotes snow shoeing and related winter activities up to Agnes Lake, for which a fee is required.

Accidents In The Area

An accident on the Nokhu Crags, north of Mount Richthofen
Edit from a report dated December 1, 2003

Rescue retrieved the body of a 17-year-old hiker who was killed in a fall, who fell while hiking with his brother and a friend on the crags above Lake Agnes.

Rescuers were slowed by loose gravel and 4-foot-high snowdrifts as they tried to climb up to the site, 12,000 feet above sea level. Conditions in the area were unsafe.

While the victim and his companions had snowpacks and snowshoes, they were not prepared to be hiking in the area in winter. They did not have ropes or other equipment.

Mountain Conditions

Regional Forecast

GOES Western US Satellite Image

Avalanche Conditions

Colorado State Forest State Park
2746 County Road 41
Walden, Colorado 80480
PHONE: (970)-723-8366
EMAIL: state.forest@state.co.us

Rocky Mountain National Park

Roosevelt National Forest

Camping

Camping is not allowed in the Lake Agnes area. There is a campground in the nearby Michigan Lakes area. Camping above the lake is not practical due to the rocky terrain and lack of water sources.

Additional Route Information

Lake Agnes is the most practical approach to this mountain, but routes have been suggested from Rocky Mountain National Park in the Fall River area (a long excursion) and from the west via Silver Creek. If you have climbed Mt. Richthofen from these approaches, you are encouraged to enter your route description, here or in the ROUTES section. Thanks! --AJ

Recent SP member "ample pressure" submitted this route description on December 5, 2002:

We hiked Richthofen from the Colorado River Trailhead in the Never Summer Range of Rocky Mountain National Park. Grand Ditch can get on your nerves, but you will always have water with a purifier!! We had to bushwhack some just before getting to the Box Canyon backcountry campsite. This was at least a 15 mile hike up and down Richthofen and back the same way we came. It was awsome if you really want to see the Never Summer Range in it's entirety. From Lake Agnes it really is not far away, however coming from Estes Park and getting to the trailhead by Lake Agnes can take a long time. Richthofen is a mountain that is not normally climbed too often. It is the highest of the Never Summer Peaks. The Never Summer Range is also very different in the type of rock offered as opposed to the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park. Richthofen had much scree. The scree that makes you feel you are never advancing upward. Please take caution climbing this peak, it is not to be toyed with.

SP member "magicicada" did this combination route with Static Peak:

We started at the Colorado River Trailhead, and hiked to the Grand Ditch. We ascended Richtofen by walking the ridge between Skeleton Gulch and Box Canyon. This was long, but not terribly difficult. One thing to note (and beware of) concerning Richtofen is that the closer you get to the summit, the more rotten and broken the rock is.

From Richtofen, we crossed the ridge to Static Peak. This is a narrow ridge, and if you do not like exposure, this is not the route for you. It is slow going, and you'll want to check the weather very carefully before starting this.

From Static, we descended the knife ridge to Snow Lake. In places, this truly is a knife ridge, and it is extremely exposed. You pretty much must stay along the top, because there are cliffs below. The ridge isn't steep at the top, but towards Snow Lake, it becomes much steeper, though you can pick routes through it. For comparison, it is similar, though a little more difficult, than the difficult section of the non-technical route to Stone Man Pass in Glacier Gorge, and unlike on Richtofen, the rock is fairly solid. It is not as exposed or dangerous as the Nokhu Crags.

From Snow Lake, we climbed back over Thunder Pass, and returned to the Colorado River Trailhead.

This route is possible, but it is dangerous and it requires good weather. Make sure you are experienced, have proper equipment, and are ready for exposure.

If you have information about this mountain that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

External Links

The Never Summer Wilderness
Facts about the wilderness in which Mt. Richtofen is located.
Tepee-Richtofen-Static Loop

Images



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