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(Not much in the way of photos to follow, because of the weather. But we'll post something as soon as they're developed and scanned.)
Ehtue hiked Colorado's third highest peak solo, while Klaus slept in the tent far below on a rainy day, August 28, 1999. The trail is about 6 miles from trailhead to summit, but surely seems longer coming back. Quite level for the first 5 1/2 miles, the trail gains about 1500 feet in the last 1/2 mile up Harvard's south face.
To get to the trailhead, drive north from the center of Buena Vista on US24. Just before reaching the edge of town, take Crossman Avenue west (County Road 350), a left hand turn, and follow it until it ends at a T intersection with County Road 361. Turn right. Follow 361 for about a mile, then turn south (left) on County Road 365. After about 1/10 of a mile, the road turns west (no options) into the mountains and proceeds up a valley for approximately five miles before coming to a dead-end parking lot at the trailhead. The road itself is quite rocky, but is passable to the end in a two wheel drive car, such as a 1991 Toyota Corolla ;-)
There are may fine campsites along the road, some quite close to the trailhead. Arriving at 7:00 pm on August 27, we made camp next to the creek about 1/5 of a mile down hill from the parking lot. After a quick dinner, we hit the sacks at dark, before the rising of a full or near full moon.
Rising at 5:15 the next morning, Klaus decided not to make the hike, having slept very little the night before. There are two trails leaving from just north of the parking lot -- take the one leading to Bear Lake (right hand). Flashlight in hand, Ehtue made the trailhead at 6:05 while the moon set in the west.
The trail starts out very gently, following Horn Fork Creek to the north. Quickly, you pass over the creek so that you travel with it on your right hand. The trail registration pont is just a little way downhill from the trailhead -- if you go very far without seeing this, you're on the wrong trail! After about 30 minutes of strolling through the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness the path corsses the stream over a wooden bridge so the stream is again on your left. Just past this crossing, the trail splits again: take the choice to the right which leads to Horn Fork Basin.
After the split, the trail steepens a bit to gain altitude as it approaches the basin. Along this path are many, many mushrooms, including some of the best examples of (haven't found the name yet), a poisonous plant found along many mountain trails. Again, you must cross the stream, this time without a bridge.
At 7:50 Ehtue entered a clearing in the basisn which affords the first view of the mountains ahead. Mt. Columbia is quite impressive on your right and you may be able to see Mt. Harvard ahead of you to the north. (The day Ehtue hiked this trail, the weather was very hazy, with thicker clouds rolling in from the northwest. The whole trail had to be hiked on faith -- Ehtue never did glimpse Mt. Harvard, except for what was right beneath his feet, until he was coming down!)
In the basin there are many fine campsites if you're williing to carry your tent, bags and supplies up this far. The trail through the basin basically follows just east of the center of the basin until around 12,000 feet when it heads toward an impressive 13,588 ft. peak connected to Mt. Harvard by the main peak's south west ridge.
As you climb out of the basin, the work of the Colorado 14ers Initiative becomes apparent, as a new trail is being constructed (1999) to relieve the old trail from heavy traffic. The new path (marked only by red and yellow flags in August 1999) steeply climbs a small boulder field, then crosses a broad, flatter tundra sectioni as it approaches Mt. Harvard's south face. Traveling on the new trail is a real joy, remniscent of "the old days" (late 60s, early 70s) when Ehtue used to traipse in teh Sawatch range -- you feel you are the first to ever hike these environs (except for the flags ;-)
(to be continued....)
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