Trip Report - Chief Mountain Hike

In the summer, I like to get out for a few after-work hikes during the week. Not only are the trails less crowded, but seeing the mountains in the gloaming and watching the sky light up at sunset is a special treat.

On Wednesday, August 5th, I met Levi and Kris at Chief Mountain for an after-work hike. Kris wanted to try Chief Mountain, between Evergreen and Idaho Springs on Squaw Pass Road. It was a lot further than I usually travel for an after-work hike, but well worth it!

Chief Mountain is an 11,709 foot peak reached after a fairly short 1.5 mile hike. The trail gains about 1,100 feet over that distance. The elevation gain is steady, and not terribly hard – enough so you feel like you get a workout, but not enough that you have to stop every 10 steps for a breather. The trail is fairly rocky, so if you plan to go after work later in the summer, you might want to take a headlamp to make the descent a little easier. The trail passes through a dense pine forest at the bottom, and then into an alpine tundra once you pass treeline, about half a mile from the top. Once you pass treeline, you can look to the north and see Idaho Springs about 7 miles as the crow files below you, look west for Squaw Pass Road as it makes its way toward Mount Evans, east toward Evergreen, and south to see the rocky summit of Chief Mountain above you. The trail circles the bottom of the peak, eventually leading up to the base of the rocks that constitute the peak. Once you get to the top, the views are well worth pausing for to take it all in. Do a 360, and you can see Mount Evans, Greys and Torrey’s Peaks, Pikes Peak and Longs Peak. I reached the top when the sun was barely above the mountains to the West. The light on the rocks and stubby trees was amazing. It seemed like everything was letting its light shine from the inside. Just incredible!

All said, it took about 40 minutes to get to the top. I left the trailhead at 6:40 p.m., and was back at the car by 8 p.m., having stopped to take photos and breathe in the beauty.

(This would be a great place to bring a picnic lunch on a weekend. You can scramble on the rocks at the peak, and then rest in the relatively flat meadow at the top.)

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/trails/ccrd/chiefmountain.shtml

The hardest part of the Chief Mountain trail is finding it. It is not well marked at all, and further than you think it could possibly be. Several times, I thought I MUST have passed it, but hadn’t.
To get there:From Denver, take I-70 West to Exit 252. Go south on Colorado 74 for 3.4 miles and turn on Colorado 103, Squaw Pass Road toward Echo Mountain Ski Area and Mount Evans. Follow the narrow, winding mountain road for about 12 miles (Just east of mile marker 18). Look for Echo Mountain Ski Area on the right. The parking area is around the bend from the entrance to Echo Mountain. There is a pull-out on the right. You will know you are in the right place when you see the ski lift for Echo Mountain just below you. The trail is across the road and slightly behind the pull-off.

Leaving Denver (Colorado Blvd. and Exposition) at 5:20 p.m., I got to the trailhead about 6:30 p.m.

After the hike, we checked out Trinity Irish Pub in El Rancho for a tasty treat and a cold beverage. http://www.thetrinitypub.com/location.html

Getting Started - Hiking

Hiking is a great way to get into getting outside and getting grubby. It's free (unless you choose to hike in a State Park or National Park, which have entrance fees), it's easy (unless walking is difficult for you), and it has virtually no start-up equipment needed. All you need to start, really, are a pair of sturdy shoes and a water bottle. Some people, "experts," recommend a 10-point list of safety equipment for any hike, but, in all honesty, you probably won't need that until you decide that you really like it and want to go for longer, deeper or more intense hikes. If you do decide that you want to hike more often, definitely get that first aid kit, a good hyration system and a packable jacket. But, if you're just exploring and trying to decide whether there's a hiker lurking in you, stick to the popular trails, and you're probably going to be okay. You just need to get out and do it.

The big question for your first hike is: Where to hike? Start by asking your friends or co-workers. They will probably have some recommendations. There are also plenty of books on the subject. REI, Sportsman's Warehouse, Bass Pro or any bookstore will have plenty of options to choose from. You can also look online for trail ideas. Colorado State Parks has a great site with links to other entities that have trails, just search here: http://parks.state.co.us/Trails/TrailMapLinks/ I really like the Jefferson County Open Space trails. There are lots to choose from, the scenery is suprisingly varied, and the difficulty ranges from super easy to pretty difficult. And, they're all within easy driving distance. Here's that link: http://tinyurl.com/lo5pzl.

All the Grubby Details:
How Far - Depends on how far you'd like to go...anywhere from 2-12 miles is do-able in a day.
Time Commitment - Plan on hiking about 2-3 miles per hour...adjust from there.
Misery Index - Low - occasionally, you'll come across a pretty intense hike, but usually, hiking makes for a very pleasant afternoon.
Intimidation Index - Low - one foot in front of the other and soon you're on your way!
Dog Friendliness - High - but, most trails require a leash. Check before you pack Fido.
Equipment needed to start - Sturdy shoes, water bottle, sunscreen
Equipment to upgrade if you find you like it - Hiking boots (or low hikers), good socks, a hydration pack (I like the daypack/hydration combos), first aid kit, rain jacket, wicking shorts and shirts.

Now, get out there and get grubby!

XO,
GG