Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: August 21, 2005
On our way from Lake City to Silverton via Cinnamon Pass, my family didn't mind hanging out in the basin while I enjoyed this nice hike. 1:22 to the top.
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: August 20, 2005
Our men’s group from Pinon Hills Community Church, Farmington, New Mexico, reached the summit on the morning of August 20, 2005. The members of the party included: Phil Miller, Jathan Cantu, Sterg Katirgis, Todd Schauer, Eber Crossley, Lee and Tyler (8 yrs. old) Cothern, and Richard Menning. Wayne Oberg reached his highest hiking elevation to date (approx. 12,900’) along with buddy, Chris Booth, who had previously reached the summit. Overcast skies turned clear briefly while on the summit as we all took pictures and met many others also enjoying the views. The well marked trail provided a fairly easy hike for a 14er, even though the last part was quite steep. Light sleet followed us down to the trailhead along with one attention getting lightning--thunder clap. All made it back tired, satisfied and completely enchanted by the beauty of the American Basin.
3/19/13- winter summit with matt via boulder gulch. the normal avalanche trap wasn't present and made for safe, efficient travel to reach the southeast ridge. felt really good to get this summit!
6/2/07- hiked the south ridge after couloir climbing on american. nice, long glissades down the west face got us back to the car quickly.
7/9/05- a spectaular valley. i'm not a big flower person but this is a great hike to view flowers. summit is great, no civlization in sight. excellent, fast glissade off the east face.
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: July 31, 2005
I climbed it the day after my Sundog-Sunshine-Redcloud loop. Two hours up and one and a half hours down. I thought American Basin was absolutely spectacular!
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Trail Date Climbed: July 22, 2005
My first fourteener. The east slope approach is harder than the American Basin approach but worth it. A perfect day of sunshine made the climb and view spectacular. We went down the west side to see both sides as well as the American Basin. The wildflowers are still in bloom and there is still a good bit of snow keeping the creeks alive. The only downside of going up one side of Handies and down the other is that you either have to hitch a ride back to Burrows park or walk.
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Date Climbed: June 2004
Climbed to the summit with some wicked postholing. I shed the training pack after climbing Redcoloud and Handies the day before and went light. VERY NICE! Huge cornice on the summit. Alpine Master almost glissaded into the creek on the way down.
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: September 6, 2004
Great mountain for a first run at a 14'er. But, oh my!, sheer torture for this body; 4 days was just not enough acclimatization. Not to mention the trudge through 8" of fresh snow. Almost turned around with only 500' to go to the summit. Those specks at the top could have it all to themselves!
I took a moment to resolve my will, and finally made it. Found some great comrade: diggler and pellucid wombat. (Open invitation to California!)
The view has to be among the best anywhere: uninterrupted snow-shrouded peaks in every direction. And for me, an eye to the next, beautiful Mt. Sneffels. We'll save the trip down Handies through the melting snow for another time. In 10am-out 5pm.
Happy to say, my knees forgave me after a few soaks in Orvis, and Sneffels was a breeze!
Route Climbed: Southwest Slopes Date Climbed: September 4, 1986
Another solo climb. I car camped down valley at one of the forest service campgrounds. I had summited Sunshine and Redcloud the day before, but still felt quite strong. I parked at the American Basin entrance (tough to get my little car there) and quickly hiked up the valley. After having to maneuver thru a herd of grazing cattle along the Silver Creek trail the day before, there was now a herd of 500? domestic sheep grazing in this valley. Other than the shepherd manning his camp up there, I saw no one else all day. Fortunately, the sheep were skittish and moved from my route. I remember summitting in beautiful sunshine and screeing down the southwest slopes for maybe 1,000 feet. I made great time, returning to my car by 1:15 p.m. I had enough time to pack my camp and drive back to Denver that same day.
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: September 10, 2004
Horrible snow storm, wind, clouds. Made an otherwise easy hike into a nightmare. Lost the trail near the lake and went up and around another hill, but made it anyway. #27
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: July 1978
This is the one and only mountain my wife has climbed with me, or ever will, I suppose. So it holds a special place in my memory. She got badly sunburned. Also with us were my mother, dad, and oldest brother.
Route Climbed: W slopes to S ridge, from Grouse Gulch Date Climbed: 6 September, 2004
Unfortunately, my only CO 14er this summer, after Mark (Pellucid Wombat) & I were foiled by non-cooperative climbing conditions on Wilson Peak the day before, & rain/snow/low visibility on Castle Peak 4 days later (gotta love that Colorado Rockies weather!!!) helped make up my mind that that summit would wait until another day as well.
Left TH @ 8.47. Getting up to 13k' saddle, then descending 600' to the base of Handies was tedious & disheartening, but in the end no big deal. Summited @ 12.39, after Mark blew by me a couple hundred feet from the top. Lots of people there that day (though few used our approach). Due to recent snowfall, views that would have been great anyway were absolutely breathtaking- almost all of the magnificent San Juan peaks that were as far as the eye could see, in an almost 360 deg circle, were mantled in summer snow! Probably the best summit views I've ever seen. Wow.
Hung out up top for quite some time, chilling & talking to fellow hikers. Bacardi 151 sure packs a whallop @ 14k'! 90 Shilling was nice, too. Got to know another cool Mark on the summit, this one from Texas (told him about SP, which he joined afterwards (flying fish!)). Left summit @ 14.40 or so (?), & got back to the TH/car @ 18.00.
Breathtaking views along the Million $ Highway afterwards, & nice soak in the hot springs in Ouray- great day!!!
Route Climbed: South Ridge via Grouse Gulch Date Climbed: September 6, 2004
Although the route was easy, the views made the hike very worthwhile - certainly one of my favorite summit views! The 6"-2' snow cover from the storm that passed through on the 4th made it look like the middle of winter!
alpspitze - Sep 1, 2005 3:03 pm
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: August 21, 2005On our way from Lake City to Silverton via Cinnamon Pass, my family didn't mind hanging out in the basin while I enjoyed this nice hike. 1:22 to the top.
IdahoSummits - Aug 31, 2005 10:10 am
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Date Climbed: 8/10/2005Just followed the tourist route without incident. After summiting, we headed over and climbed Whitecross Mountain, which was interesting.
ktimm - Aug 24, 2005 12:17 pm
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: 08/20/2005Nice hike, nice view, busy trail
JCantu1044 - Aug 22, 2005 1:49 pm
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: August 20, 2005Our men’s group from Pinon Hills Community Church, Farmington, New Mexico, reached the summit on the morning of August 20, 2005. The members of the party included: Phil Miller, Jathan Cantu, Sterg Katirgis, Todd Schauer, Eber Crossley, Lee and Tyler (8 yrs. old) Cothern, and Richard Menning. Wayne Oberg reached his highest hiking elevation to date (approx. 12,900’) along with buddy, Chris Booth, who had previously reached the summit. Overcast skies turned clear briefly while on the summit as we all took pictures and met many others also enjoying the views. The well marked trail provided a fairly easy hike for a 14er, even though the last part was quite steep. Light sleet followed us down to the trailhead along with one attention getting lightning--thunder clap. All made it back tired, satisfied and completely enchanted by the beauty of the American Basin.
brianhughes - Aug 19, 2005 12:43 am
Route Climbed: from American Basin Trailhead Date Climbed: July 7th, 2005Excellent day hike. Did Redcloud and Sunshine the previous day.
shanahan96 - Aug 14, 2005 4:54 pm
three different ways3/19/13- winter summit with matt via boulder gulch. the normal avalanche trap wasn't present and made for safe, efficient travel to reach the southeast ridge. felt really good to get this summit!
6/2/07- hiked the south ridge after couloir climbing on american. nice, long glissades down the west face got us back to the car quickly.
7/9/05- a spectaular valley. i'm not a big flower person but this is a great hike to view flowers. summit is great, no civlization in sight. excellent, fast glissade off the east face.
jamie
Andy - Aug 1, 2005 1:17 pm
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: July 31, 2005I climbed it the day after my Sundog-Sunshine-Redcloud loop. Two hours up and one and a half hours down. I thought American Basin was absolutely spectacular!
Cortez - Jul 25, 2005 12:42 pm
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Date Climbed: July 2, 2002What a beautiful mountain! We climbed it on a wonderful day, The wildflowers were spectacular. The trail was easy to follow & well maintained.
Hiking Party:
Michael Booker
Jennifer Booker
Steve Color
Shiloh
the explorist - Jul 24, 2005 11:01 pm
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Trail Date Climbed: July 22, 2005My first fourteener. The east slope approach is harder than the American Basin approach but worth it. A perfect day of sunshine made the climb and view spectacular. We went down the west side to see both sides as well as the American Basin. The wildflowers are still in bloom and there is still a good bit of snow keeping the creeks alive. The only downside of going up one side of Handies and down the other is that you either have to hitch a ride back to Burrows park or walk.
alpine master - Jul 24, 2005 5:30 pm
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: June 4th 2004Climbed with Old Ickabod to the summit with some wicked postholing. Huge cornice on the summit. I almost glissaded into the creek on the way down.
Old Ickabod - Jul 14, 2005 10:32 pm
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Date Climbed: June 2004Climbed to the summit with some wicked postholing. I shed the training pack after climbing Redcoloud and Handies the day before and went light. VERY NICE! Huge cornice on the summit. Alpine Master almost glissaded into the creek on the way down.
doumall - Jul 13, 2005 3:11 pm
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: June, 1 200412th 14er!
Ed F - Jul 13, 2005 12:51 pm
Route Climbed: Handies Trail from American Basin Date Climbed: July 12, 2005Easy hike to a beautiful summit. Very crowded area.
illegal_smile - Jun 28, 2005 11:28 am
Route Climbed: American Basin via the talus slope Date Climbed: June 26 2003Easy and fun with great views!
flyingfish - Feb 13, 2005 1:19 am
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: September 6, 2004Great mountain for a first run at a 14'er. But, oh my!, sheer torture for this body; 4 days was just not enough acclimatization. Not to mention the trudge through 8" of fresh snow. Almost turned around with only 500' to go to the summit. Those specks at the top could have it all to themselves!
I took a moment to resolve my will, and finally made it. Found some great comrade: diggler and pellucid wombat. (Open invitation to California!)
The view has to be among the best anywhere: uninterrupted snow-shrouded peaks in every direction. And for me, an eye to the next, beautiful Mt. Sneffels. We'll save the trip down Handies through the melting snow for another time. In 10am-out 5pm.
Happy to say, my knees forgave me after a few soaks in Orvis, and Sneffels was a breeze!
ColoradoScott - Feb 4, 2005 12:19 pm
Route Climbed: Southwest Slopes Date Climbed: September 4, 1986Another solo climb. I car camped down valley at one of the forest service campgrounds. I had summited Sunshine and Redcloud the day before, but still felt quite strong. I parked at the American Basin entrance (tough to get my little car there) and quickly hiked up the valley. After having to maneuver thru a herd of grazing cattle along the Silver Creek trail the day before, there was now a herd of 500? domestic sheep grazing in this valley. Other than the shepherd manning his camp up there, I saw no one else all day. Fortunately, the sheep were skittish and moved from my route. I remember summitting in beautiful sunshine and screeing down the southwest slopes for maybe 1,000 feet. I made great time, returning to my car by 1:15 p.m. I had enough time to pack my camp and drive back to Denver that same day.
charles97 - Jan 28, 2005 2:28 pm
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: September 10, 2004Horrible snow storm, wind, clouds. Made an otherwise easy hike into a nightmare. Lost the trail near the lake and went up and around another hill, but made it anyway. #27
Larry V - Jan 11, 2005 11:28 pm
Route Climbed: American Basin Date Climbed: July 1978This is the one and only mountain my wife has climbed with me, or ever will, I suppose. So it holds a special place in my memory. She got badly sunburned. Also with us were my mother, dad, and oldest brother.
Diggler - Sep 16, 2004 10:41 pm
Route Climbed: W slopes to S ridge, from Grouse Gulch Date Climbed: 6 September, 2004Unfortunately, my only CO 14er this summer, after Mark (Pellucid Wombat) & I were foiled by non-cooperative climbing conditions on Wilson Peak the day before, & rain/snow/low visibility on Castle Peak 4 days later (gotta love that Colorado Rockies weather!!!) helped make up my mind that that summit would wait until another day as well.
Left TH @ 8.47. Getting up to 13k' saddle, then descending 600' to the base of Handies was tedious & disheartening, but in the end no big deal. Summited @ 12.39, after Mark blew by me a couple hundred feet from the top. Lots of people there that day (though few used our approach). Due to recent snowfall, views that would have been great anyway were absolutely breathtaking- almost all of the magnificent San Juan peaks that were as far as the eye could see, in an almost 360 deg circle, were mantled in summer snow! Probably the best summit views I've ever seen. Wow.
Hung out up top for quite some time, chilling & talking to fellow hikers. Bacardi 151 sure packs a whallop @ 14k'! 90 Shilling was nice, too. Got to know another cool Mark on the summit, this one from Texas (told him about SP, which he joined afterwards (flying fish!)). Left summit @ 14.40 or so (?), & got back to the TH/car @ 18.00.
Breathtaking views along the Million $ Highway afterwards, & nice soak in the hot springs in Ouray- great day!!!
PellucidWombat - Sep 8, 2004 2:35 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge via Grouse Gulch Date Climbed: September 6, 2004Although the route was easy, the views made the hike very worthwhile - certainly one of my favorite summit views! The 6"-2' snow cover from the storm that passed through on the 4th made it look like the middle of winter!