UN 10020 11/12
7.25mi RT, 1950' EVG
Joe, Poudre and I were able to find time during the week to climb up to another 10er in the Chambers Lake area, this time the destination would be UN 10020. Since the area receives a ton of snow over the winter, we were hoping to make the trip before any more storms rolled through and made the drifts even deeper. Luckily there was enough snow to make for great snowshoeing conditions without wearing us out too badly.
We started at a small parking area just off of the Laramie River Road above Lost Lake, the gate was still open(although a big tree had fallen across the road not far beyond) and we followed some old vehicle tracks that had been snowed over. We took a little side trip down to see Lost Lake which still had some open water in the middle, as did the other lakes we'd later pass. By following an inlet ditch we were able to shortcut our way back to Green Ridge Road, which later led us to the larger Laramie Lake. We continued along the road until reaching a meadow where the road branched off for the main Green Ridge Road and a side road that goes to the east Twin Lake. At this point we crossed the meadow and began bushwhacking.
The forest wasn't terribly dense and the snow wasn't too deep, so the steep climb up to a pair of forested knobs went quickly. We began to see views towards the backside of the Mummy Range and the 9ers across the upper Poudre Canyon. The snow on the north slopes of the knobs was perhaps 2.5 feet deep. We resumed the gradual climbing to reach the broad summit plateau of 10020, which has 6 closed 10,000 contours. Upon reaching the southern group of contours, Joe used his hand level to verify that the northern group of three knobs were roughly 10 feet taller. We made our way towards them, detouring slightly to an outcropping that overlooked the canyon below. We visited all three of the northern summit candidates; the east one is definitely the lowest, the middle one is the LOJ highpoint and has a little register, while the west outcrop has the best views. Both the middle and west contour are at the same elevation, so one might as well stop at both since they're so close together. From the west summit we were able to see the northern Never Summers, the Mummy Range and a nice look at Cameron Peak. The sun was out and the wind was surprisingly calm, so we were able to enjoy the break.
Descending from 10020 was a bit tricky, but most off-trail descents are when you're wearing snowshoes. We were able to avoid cliffs, but the deadfall was much thicker on this side of the peak. After plenty of grappling, we exited the forest to reach the marshy shoreline of east Twin Lake which had a very cool old beaver den in the middle which Joe pointed out to me. Along the edge of the forest were lots of old beaver stumps and a few more recent ones as well. Although there was about a foot of snow over the marsh grass, you had to keep moving quickly to avoid getting your feet wet from standing in one place too long. At the southern edge of the marsh, we found the side road which would take us back to our tracks at the big meadow. From this point it was pretty straightforward as we followed the road back to the car after a successful day of snowshoeing.
Joe has lots of pictures from this trip and other adventures on Green Ridge which can be found at joeandfrede.com .
Joe, Poudre and I were able to find time during the week to climb up to another 10er in the Chambers Lake area, this time the destination would be UN 10020. Since the area receives a ton of snow over the winter, we were hoping to make the trip before any more storms rolled through and made the drifts even deeper. Luckily there was enough snow to make for great snowshoeing conditions without wearing us out too badly.
We started at a small parking area just off of the Laramie River Road above Lost Lake, the gate was still open(although a big tree had fallen across the road not far beyond) and we followed some old vehicle tracks that had been snowed over. We took a little side trip down to see Lost Lake which still had some open water in the middle, as did the other lakes we'd later pass. By following an inlet ditch we were able to shortcut our way back to Green Ridge Road, which later led us to the larger Laramie Lake. We continued along the road until reaching a meadow where the road branched off for the main Green Ridge Road and a side road that goes to the east Twin Lake. At this point we crossed the meadow and began bushwhacking.
The forest wasn't terribly dense and the snow wasn't too deep, so the steep climb up to a pair of forested knobs went quickly. We began to see views towards the backside of the Mummy Range and the 9ers across the upper Poudre Canyon. The snow on the north slopes of the knobs was perhaps 2.5 feet deep. We resumed the gradual climbing to reach the broad summit plateau of 10020, which has 6 closed 10,000 contours. Upon reaching the southern group of contours, Joe used his hand level to verify that the northern group of three knobs were roughly 10 feet taller. We made our way towards them, detouring slightly to an outcropping that overlooked the canyon below. We visited all three of the northern summit candidates; the east one is definitely the lowest, the middle one is the LOJ highpoint and has a little register, while the west outcrop has the best views. Both the middle and west contour are at the same elevation, so one might as well stop at both since they're so close together. From the west summit we were able to see the northern Never Summers, the Mummy Range and a nice look at Cameron Peak. The sun was out and the wind was surprisingly calm, so we were able to enjoy the break.
Descending from 10020 was a bit tricky, but most off-trail descents are when you're wearing snowshoes. We were able to avoid cliffs, but the deadfall was much thicker on this side of the peak. After plenty of grappling, we exited the forest to reach the marshy shoreline of east Twin Lake which had a very cool old beaver den in the middle which Joe pointed out to me. Along the edge of the forest were lots of old beaver stumps and a few more recent ones as well. Although there was about a foot of snow over the marsh grass, you had to keep moving quickly to avoid getting your feet wet from standing in one place too long. At the southern edge of the marsh, we found the side road which would take us back to our tracks at the big meadow. From this point it was pretty straightforward as we followed the road back to the car after a successful day of snowshoeing.
Joe has lots of pictures from this trip and other adventures on Green Ridge which can be found at joeandfrede.com .
