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On Saturday, June 26th, John Mitchler & Dave Covill led a C-diff
hike up Pettingell Peak, highest point in Grand County, and Chapter 12
in our new book,
"Hiking Colorado's Summits" by Falcon. Six members of our WTS
group joined eight others, all rather experienced hikers. Conditions were
superb, as we didn't even see a cloud until after noon, not a breath of
wind, temp in the 70's. We departed from the Herman Gulch TH, a few miles
down from the Eisenhower tunnel and Loveland Pass, at 8AM, and found conditions
on the trail to be dry for the first 2 miles, then a bit muddy the 3rd
mile to Herman Lake. From there, we skirted the Lake to the east and north,
then took the >moderate snow gully up to the west, leading to the broad
snow basin above the lake. This heads west gently uphill for a half mile,
until you are below the peak. We then turned north and went straight up
the talus slope, between two broad snow fields, and gained the summit
ridge 100 yards west of the peak. There was minor snow on top. We descended
via the western snowfield from the saddle 200 yards west of the peak,
although the snowfield directly under the peak could have been glissaded
by experienced hikers. A scree slope 100 yards to the east of the peak
is one of the better ones in this part of the state, and is also a possibility.
We made it to the lake in short order after a series of four glissades,
with perfect conditions. Several members of the group were relatively
new to glissading, and squeals of delight were heard for miles. We skirted
the lake on the south side, and had to cross a 5-foot wide stream that
was a bit of a stretch for a few members. Better to go around the backside.
Quite a few hikers were either at the lake, or along the trail. Only 3
others were seen going for the actual summit. Made it out by 4:15. }t
the lake, or along the trail. Only 3 others were seen going for the actual
summit. Made it out by 4:15.
Dave Covill
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