UN 6945 2/7
7.8mi 2550' EVG ~6.5 hrs
Joe organized this hike and Jim Larkey and Poudre also attended. We started at the Gateway Park Natural Area and crossed the two repaired bridges that were closed when we climbed UN 6823 and UN 6176 in January 2014 on a pleasantly warm day. The trek to UN 6945 was also on an exceptionally warm day that likely reached the mid-60's on the way back and low 70's in town, if there wasn't ice on the reservoir and a few patches of snow along the way you probably wouldn't know the February day from one in June.
From the base of the spillway we climbed up to the lake and followed the braided trails to the northwest shore of Milton Seaman Reservoir. Continuing to the sharp bend where the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River transitions into the reservoir, we crossed a small stream and sandy beach to meet the base of the long ridge that leads to 6945. The ridge was steep to begin but became more gradual until dropping down next to a small meadow. There were well worn animal trails the entire way to the summit and many bleached and fresh bones along the way(Poudre found two deer legs!). The top of 6945 came into view and was pretty recognizable at our angle due to a granite outcrop near the top. From the meadow to the summit becomes more steep but it didn't take long to top out on the open summit. I was very impressed with the views to the plains and Livermore/Viginia Dale area and also of the nearby Greyrock group and snowy Comanche Peak area.
It was calm at the summit so we lingered for a while before taking a neighboring ridge back towards the reservoir. Because the ice wasn't safe near the bank of the river and there were cliff bands along the sides, we decided to cut back towards the small stream that we left the trail from instead of complicating our route with unknowns. Back at the reservoir it was clear that this was the right choice, as the ice had degraded considerably over the several hours since we left it and large pools of water had ponded in low spots of the ice. We followed the same route back and I saw a cairn that probably marked the old Wintersteen trail. There were considerably more people along the access road fishing the rivers when we returned, enjoying the day in their various ways.
More photos of the area at Joe's site and Jim's EveryTrails.
Joe organized this hike and Jim Larkey and Poudre also attended. We started at the Gateway Park Natural Area and crossed the two repaired bridges that were closed when we climbed UN 6823 and UN 6176 in January 2014 on a pleasantly warm day. The trek to UN 6945 was also on an exceptionally warm day that likely reached the mid-60's on the way back and low 70's in town, if there wasn't ice on the reservoir and a few patches of snow along the way you probably wouldn't know the February day from one in June.
From the base of the spillway we climbed up to the lake and followed the braided trails to the northwest shore of Milton Seaman Reservoir. Continuing to the sharp bend where the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River transitions into the reservoir, we crossed a small stream and sandy beach to meet the base of the long ridge that leads to 6945. The ridge was steep to begin but became more gradual until dropping down next to a small meadow. There were well worn animal trails the entire way to the summit and many bleached and fresh bones along the way(Poudre found two deer legs!). The top of 6945 came into view and was pretty recognizable at our angle due to a granite outcrop near the top. From the meadow to the summit becomes more steep but it didn't take long to top out on the open summit. I was very impressed with the views to the plains and Livermore/Viginia Dale area and also of the nearby Greyrock group and snowy Comanche Peak area.
It was calm at the summit so we lingered for a while before taking a neighboring ridge back towards the reservoir. Because the ice wasn't safe near the bank of the river and there were cliff bands along the sides, we decided to cut back towards the small stream that we left the trail from instead of complicating our route with unknowns. Back at the reservoir it was clear that this was the right choice, as the ice had degraded considerably over the several hours since we left it and large pools of water had ponded in low spots of the ice. We followed the same route back and I saw a cairn that probably marked the old Wintersteen trail. There were considerably more people along the access road fishing the rivers when we returned, enjoying the day in their various ways.
More photos of the area at Joe's site and Jim's EveryTrails.
