Navajo Peak

Date: 10/16/2010

Distance: ~13 miles

Elevation Gain: ~3900'

From Fort Collins, I drove south on I-25, west on CO-66, north on CO-7, south on CO-72 and west on Brainard Lake Road to the Long Lake Trailhead. I hiked up the Pawnee Pass Trail to the Jean Lunning Trail and then up the unsigned Niwot Ridge Trail, which is a circuitous route to the east ridge of Niwot Ridge. The east ridge of Niwot Ridge is rated third class and is a bit more interesting with snow and ice. I finally made my way to the summit, then walked off to the Navajo Peak-Niwot Ridge saddle. I climbed up to Navajo Peak’s south ridge and climbed it to the summit finding a few exposed moves. I descended my ascent route to the top of Airplane Gully, descended it and followed the trails back to the trailhead.

Entering the Niwot Ridge Biosphere Reserve

Mount Albion

Arikaree Peak & Niwot Ridge, from left to right, above the highest of Green Lakes

Some of the third class terrain en route to Niwot Ridge

Skiers on Isabelle Glacier

Navajo Peak

Arikaree Peak from Navajo Peak

North Arapaho Peak from Navajo Peak

Some third class just below the summit of Navajo Peak

Map

Photos