IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Labor Day Weekend | Saturday & Sunday, August 30 - 31, 2014
When I asked Diane what she wanted to do over Labor Day weekend she suggested that we go on another backpacking trip. I guess it's safe to say that she enjoys backpacking since she only went on her very first trip back in June. After a little research we decided on an overnight backpacking trip into Wetterhorn Basin within the Uncompahgre Wilderness. We figured it probably wouldn't be too busy in this area over the holiday weekend because most people climb Wetterhorn Peak from the other side.
On Saturday morning we left home and drove over Owl Creek Pass to the West Fork of the Cimarron River trailhead. We put on our packs and climbed up to West Fork Pass (12,500 feet) before dropping down into Wetterhorn Basin. As we neared the pass it rained enough that we got out the rain gear, but the precipitation was short-lived. When we reached a group of trees down in the basin we found a place to setup camp under Wetterhorn Peak just in time to get out of another rain storm. It was the last time it would rain on this trip. When the rain had stopped we had dinner and then I climbed to the summit of an unnamed 13er near our camp so I could catch the sunset from up there. I'm glad I did because the sunset was spectacular and it was great to view it from the high vantage point. When the light show was over I hiked back down to camp in the dark and went right to bed.
Entering the Uncompahgre Wilderness along the West Fork of the Cimarron River.
Uncompahgre Wilderness by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
View back along Dike Ridge towards Precipice Peak (13,144 feet), Dunsinane Mountain (12,742 feet) and Turret Ridge in spotted light.
West Fork Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Our campsite in Wetterhorn Basin with Wetterhorn Peak (14,015 feet) towering above.
Wetterhorn Basin Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Another view without the tent after camp was setup.
Wetterhorn Afternoon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The rounded mountain on the right side of this photo is an unnamed 13,206 foot peak that I planned on climbing in the evening to catch the sunset. This photo was taken near our camp.
Unnamed 13,206 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A reflection of Wetterhorn Peak in a small tarn in the basin.
Wetterhorn Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As I began climbing the unnamed 13er after dinner I noticed this unusual texture in the clouds above Coxcomb Peak. There wasn't much color at this time with the overcast sky blocking the sun, so I converted it to black and white to accentuate the texture.
Coxcomb Sky by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I started climbing the 13er from camp the sky was pretty overcast above, but I noticed that the western horizon had a gap below the clouds that would allow the sun to drop below them which might produce an amazing sunset. As I neared the top the sun did drop below the clouds and lit up everything around me nicely, including the texture in the clouds that had moved away from Coxcomb Peak and was right above me now.
To the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The light on the landscape was pretty amazing when it came back out.
Over Wetterhorn Basin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I first reached the top, I was greeting with a beautiful view down into the Middle Fork of the Cimarron and noticed the shadow of Coxcomb peak was projected onto Heisshorn (13,411 feet) for a short time.
Coxcomb Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I had great views in all directions including this one looking towards the Sneffels Range.
Sneffels Range by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Evening Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The view of Wetterhorn Peak from up here was pretty great, too.
Unnamed 13,206 Summit by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Boulder Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A beautiful scene over the Middle Fork of the Cimarron from the summit.
Summit View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I probably took a few too many photos of Wetterhorn as the light continued to change...
Wetterhorn Evening by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Middle Fork Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I even had a nice view of Uncompahgre Peak (14,309 feet) from up here. The highest peak in the San Juan Mountains.
Uncompahgre Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Heisshorn under interesting clouds.
Peak & Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Middle Fork of the Cimarron by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I asked Diane what she wanted to do over Labor Day weekend she suggested that we go on another backpacking trip. I guess it's safe to say that she enjoys backpacking since she only went on her very first trip back in June. After a little research we decided on an overnight backpacking trip into Wetterhorn Basin within the Uncompahgre Wilderness. We figured it probably wouldn't be too busy in this area over the holiday weekend because most people climb Wetterhorn Peak from the other side.
On Saturday morning we left home and drove over Owl Creek Pass to the West Fork of the Cimarron River trailhead. We put on our packs and climbed up to West Fork Pass (12,500 feet) before dropping down into Wetterhorn Basin. As we neared the pass it rained enough that we got out the rain gear, but the precipitation was short-lived. When we reached a group of trees down in the basin we found a place to setup camp under Wetterhorn Peak just in time to get out of another rain storm. It was the last time it would rain on this trip. When the rain had stopped we had dinner and then I climbed to the summit of an unnamed 13er near our camp so I could catch the sunset from up there. I'm glad I did because the sunset was spectacular and it was great to view it from the high vantage point. When the light show was over I hiked back down to camp in the dark and went right to bed.
Entering the Uncompahgre Wilderness along the West Fork of the Cimarron River.
Uncompahgre Wilderness by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
View back along Dike Ridge towards Precipice Peak (13,144 feet), Dunsinane Mountain (12,742 feet) and Turret Ridge in spotted light.
West Fork Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Our campsite in Wetterhorn Basin with Wetterhorn Peak (14,015 feet) towering above.
Wetterhorn Basin Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Another view without the tent after camp was setup.
Wetterhorn Afternoon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The rounded mountain on the right side of this photo is an unnamed 13,206 foot peak that I planned on climbing in the evening to catch the sunset. This photo was taken near our camp.
Unnamed 13,206 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A reflection of Wetterhorn Peak in a small tarn in the basin.
Wetterhorn Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As I began climbing the unnamed 13er after dinner I noticed this unusual texture in the clouds above Coxcomb Peak. There wasn't much color at this time with the overcast sky blocking the sun, so I converted it to black and white to accentuate the texture.
Coxcomb Sky by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I started climbing the 13er from camp the sky was pretty overcast above, but I noticed that the western horizon had a gap below the clouds that would allow the sun to drop below them which might produce an amazing sunset. As I neared the top the sun did drop below the clouds and lit up everything around me nicely, including the texture in the clouds that had moved away from Coxcomb Peak and was right above me now.
To the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The light on the landscape was pretty amazing when it came back out.
Over Wetterhorn Basin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I first reached the top, I was greeting with a beautiful view down into the Middle Fork of the Cimarron and noticed the shadow of Coxcomb peak was projected onto Heisshorn (13,411 feet) for a short time.
Coxcomb Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I had great views in all directions including this one looking towards the Sneffels Range.
Sneffels Range by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Evening Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The view of Wetterhorn Peak from up here was pretty great, too.
Unnamed 13,206 Summit by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Boulder Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A beautiful scene over the Middle Fork of the Cimarron from the summit.
Summit View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I probably took a few too many photos of Wetterhorn as the light continued to change...
Wetterhorn Evening by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Middle Fork Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I even had a nice view of Uncompahgre Peak (14,309 feet) from up here. The highest peak in the San Juan Mountains.
Uncompahgre Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Heisshorn under interesting clouds.
Peak & Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Middle Fork of the Cimarron by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
