Читать книгу Best Summit Hikes Denver to Vail - James Dziezynski - Страница 22

Round-Trip Distance	5.6 miles
Class	2+
Difficulty	6/10
Hiking Time	5–6 hours
Total Elevation Gain	2,730’
Terrain	Off-trail with steep grassy slopes with good footing. Easy scramble down Witter Peak.
Best Time to Climb	June–September

Overview

You could not bag a single peak in this circuit and still leave satisfied. The reservoir’s mesmerizing, inky waters flow from a collection of small waterfalls and streams originating in the spacious alpine basin above. Snow tends to stick around all year, especially at the foot of the Parry–Eva saddle. This tour descends via Witter Peak’s east ridge and has quite a surprise at the conclusion: following a flood-damaged drainage back to the trailhead!

Mile/Route

0.0 From the parking area, head north along the south shore of the reservoir. A broad, brief dirt road devolves into a climber’s trail that makes a half circle to the west side of the reservoir. Morning sunlight often makes the water sparkle as if there were diamonds floating on the surface.

0.3 Leave the makeshift trail and follow even more makeshift trails up and west into the basin. You’ll see Eva’s imposing Class 3–4 ridge on your left; you won’t be going up it just yet. There are some steep but sturdy scrambles to gain the basin. Staying close to the waterfalls on the right offers scenic access. Eventually, the trails fizzle out at the eastern forest of the basin proper (a great potential place for pitching a tent).

Slater Lake (left) and Chinns Lake (right)

0.6 The grandiose basin will unfold before you. Go west young man, or woman, or possibly dog! Parry Peak will loom just off to your right and the Parry-Eva saddle will be in front of you. It looks mighty steep from here.

1.6 Eva’s east ridge saddle comes into view to the southwest. It’s a broad, steep grassy slope, but the footing is excellent (assuming there is no snow). If you’ve ever wondered what an 800-foot vertical wall of grass looks like … this is it. Chug along 0.4 mile from 12,000 feet to the saddle at 12,800 feet.

2.0 Phew! From the saddle, the west slopes to Eva’s summit present about 300 vertical feet of really fun, solid, Class 2+ scrambling to the top. Staying right makes it a little easier, while the center has a bit more challenge.

2.2 The summit of Eva—hard to believe it’s only 2.2 miles; it may feel longer. Just off the south of the summit are the ruins of an old communications tower that was fated to be removed in 2002. Apparently, it has some staying power. Time to head to Witter Peak, 1.6 miles away on gentle, easygoing slopes.

2.8 The Eva–Witter saddle. This is a possible return route, as shown on the map. There are a few willows to mash through, but navigation to Slater Lake/Chinns Lake is straightforward—just go down and east, staying to the left side of the basin. A trail emerges around Slater Lake just past a large, handmade stone shelter.

3.6 Witter’s summit. While it’s flat on one side, the south side cliffs are dramatic. The east ridge down has one notch to downclimb (Class 2+). If you have dogs, you may want to keep them on leash around the steep cliffs and possibly avoid this notch returning via the Eva–Witter saddle (1.75-mile basin walk to Chinns Lake, with a few willow thickets to navigate). But to stay on the route, head down the east ridge of Witter, downclimbing the notch and aiming for Chinns Lake.

4.7 When you are lined up with Chinns Lake, find a good slope to descend. It’s a bit loose in places, but keep looking east to find a nice way down. Follow the south shore of Chinns Lake around 5.2 miles in. Stay north on the road and look for a stone-lined drainage past the northeast corner of the lake. This drainage connects Chinns to Fall River Reservoir.

Stay to the left of the drainage in the shady woods. It may feel off route, but it’s a short no-trail jaunt down in an open forest. Stay on the left side of the drainage, marveling at some of the deep ravines cut into the land from the 2013 floods.

5.4 Keep following the drainage north. Soon you will see Fall River Reservoir through the trees. Eventually, you’ll come to a few backcountry camp spots and the road back to the parking lot.

5.6 Finish.

Notes

This route can be done in reverse, but that entails a descent of Eva’s south slopes—not to mention fighting up the four-wheel-drive road to park at Chinns Lake (or walking it from below).