Great information on the mountain. I spend a day skiing on Memorial Day Weekend '04. Breathtaking views in all directions. I bet in the summer it's more crowded up there, I only met a group of bighornsheeps that day and a couple birds - beautyful day.
Skiing on Trinchera?? Really?!?! If the road wasn't melted off yet, I'll bet that was some work just getting up there. Summer up there is great. The few times I've been there, including twice (Aug 84 & July 89) when I spent the night just below the abandoned mine, there were no crowds; pretty much had the peak to myself. Being up there at night and for sunrise is the best!
Trincherea is a nice mountain for ski touring. If you start at the fork on Blue Lake CG it's about 3 hours to the peak. I do not know how snow conditions are in the winter, I heard that it's often windblown, but in spring when the road to the campgrounds is open it's just perfect. Last time I parked the car 'bout 300' behind the fork. The road was blocked right there with a huge snow bank. Snow coverage continous from here up to the peak. (see trip reports)
Bill-Thanks for saving this mountain from obscurity. I have hopefully enacted efforts to get the page rating corrected in the near future. Hang in there and be patient.
Hey, no problem. I've had a personal love for Trinchera for many years, and now feel even closer to it since doing the page. Just wish I had more pics to add to the info.
I can't believe that over the years no one else has had near the interest in the peak that I've had (or so it seems). I don't know why I'm so fascinated with it (or the West Spanish Peak for that matter).
It always seems easier to head for the West Spanish Peak instead of Trinchera because it's easier and faster to get to.
The thing about Trinchera is if you're not 4-wheeling it up, then you gotta prepare for the long hike--and it's ALL up!!
In the summer it's a beautiful place to hang out around even if you don't do the summit. When in the base of the 'trench' or at the mine, it almost feels like being in a balcony looking east.
Thanks for the vote and the newspaper link. After reading it I agree with you that there most likely won't be access to the peak from the west side, which is a shame.
Re: photos.....I wasn't sure how some of those would/wouldn't be appreciated when I posted them, particularly the truck shots. I was merely trying to allow others to see that I DID spend the night there. I did delete a few of them though.
I posted the old mine shack shots because I thought others who may not have ever seen what was there would be curious about it. They're all dated, and I have seen a shot from some university website in which a geology group visited there in (I believe) 2003. The shack is now gone, although the air compressor unit is still there.
Even though it has very little to do with climbing/hiking, I would like to create a section about the mountain mine history. However, doing a Google search has turned up virtually nothing about it. I did hear there is a woman somewhere in Huerfano County who keeps historical records about such things, but I have no leads to get in touch with her.
I like the mine shots! I just thought there might be too many of them, that's all. Do you live near Trinchera? I thought I read in one of your captions that you've climbed the peak 5 times?
desainme - Nov 29, 2004 7:39 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled Comment37.289ºN-105.164ºW
here is the latitude and longi†ude to get you started.
Its about 14 miles north of Culebra Pk.
billokc - Nov 30, 2004 1:43 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks, I got it!!
billokc - Nov 30, 2004 1:41 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks for the vote of confidence. This will probably be a work in progress for the next couple of weeks.
The Lower Marmot - Nov 30, 2004 9:32 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentYou've already done a great job on this page. Keep working, and it will be quite excellent. Thanks for coming to the rescue!
billokc - Dec 6, 2004 10:54 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks for your support of my effort on this page. I appreciate it.
Gumpie - Nov 30, 2004 7:44 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGreat information on the mountain. I spend a day skiing on Memorial Day Weekend '04. Breathtaking views in all directions. I bet in the summer it's more crowded up there, I only met a group of bighornsheeps that day and a couple birds - beautyful day.
Edit: splelling
billokc - Dec 1, 2004 6:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentSkiing on Trinchera?? Really?!?! If the road wasn't melted off yet, I'll bet that was some work just getting up there. Summer up there is great. The few times I've been there, including twice (Aug 84 & July 89) when I spent the night just below the abandoned mine, there were no crowds; pretty much had the peak to myself. Being up there at night and for sunrise is the best!
Gumpie - Dec 2, 2004 10:15 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentTrincherea is a nice mountain for ski touring. If you start at the fork on Blue Lake CG it's about 3 hours to the peak. I do not know how snow conditions are in the winter, I heard that it's often windblown, but in spring when the road to the campgrounds is open it's just perfect. Last time I parked the car 'bout 300' behind the fork. The road was blocked right there with a huge snow bank. Snow coverage continous from here up to the peak. (see trip reports)
Aaron Johnson - Dec 1, 2004 7:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentBill-Thanks for saving this mountain from obscurity. I have hopefully enacted efforts to get the page rating corrected in the near future. Hang in there and be patient.
billokc - Dec 1, 2004 7:52 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentHey, no problem. I've had a personal love for Trinchera for many years, and now feel even closer to it since doing the page. Just wish I had more pics to add to the info.
I can't believe that over the years no one else has had near the interest in the peak that I've had (or so it seems). I don't know why I'm so fascinated with it (or the West Spanish Peak for that matter).
billokc - Dec 6, 2004 10:56 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentHey Alan. Thanks for your vote on the Trinchera Peak page, I really appreciate it.
Bill
JonBradford - Dec 14, 2004 8:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGood job revamping this page. I liked the view of Trinchera from West Spanish Peak but I have never even set foot in its vicinity...
Jon
billokc - Dec 15, 2004 7:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks for the compliment Jon.
It always seems easier to head for the West Spanish Peak instead of Trinchera because it's easier and faster to get to.
The thing about Trinchera is if you're not 4-wheeling it up, then you gotta prepare for the long hike--and it's ALL up!!
In the summer it's a beautiful place to hang out around even if you don't do the summit. When in the base of the 'trench' or at the mine, it almost feels like being in a balcony looking east.
Bill
Grant - Dec 14, 2004 11:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentExcellent mountain. Nice to see it in good hands.
billokc - Dec 15, 2004 7:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks for the compliment.
RyanS - Dec 15, 2004 1:23 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentAgreed, thanks for rescuing this page, Bill!.
I saw this news tip this week: Forbes Trinchera Ranch donates conservation easement. I don't believe it provides access to Trinchera from the west, but it might be worth adding to the links section?
billokc - Dec 15, 2004 7:29 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentRyan,
Thanks for the vote and the newspaper link. After reading it I agree with you that there most likely won't be access to the peak from the west side, which is a shame.
Re: photos.....I wasn't sure how some of those would/wouldn't be appreciated when I posted them, particularly the truck shots. I was merely trying to allow others to see that I DID spend the night there. I did delete a few of them though.
I posted the old mine shack shots because I thought others who may not have ever seen what was there would be curious about it. They're all dated, and I have seen a shot from some university website in which a geology group visited there in (I believe) 2003. The shack is now gone, although the air compressor unit is still there.
Even though it has very little to do with climbing/hiking, I would like to create a section about the mountain mine history. However, doing a Google search has turned up virtually nothing about it. I did hear there is a woman somewhere in Huerfano County who keeps historical records about such things, but I have no leads to get in touch with her.
Bill
RyanS - Dec 15, 2004 7:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI like the mine shots! I just thought there might be too many of them, that's all. Do you live near Trinchera? I thought I read in one of your captions that you've climbed the peak 5 times?
billokc - Dec 15, 2004 7:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentI live in Oklahoma City. I've been on Trinchera summit twice. I've been on Wheeler Peak, NM five times.
All the mine photos are from 1978.....1984.....and 1989.
Larry V - Mar 13, 2005 10:27 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice page. Useful information, thanks.