12/31/2009 - Button Rock Mountain, 7790 & Indian Mountain
From Fort Collins, I drove south on I-25, west on CO-66, west on US 36 and north on Stone Canyon Drive to a Boulder County Open Space gate where I parked. I hiked up to the south ridge of Indian Mountain and followed it to the summit. The terrain is more difficult than one might expect, due to dense bushes and many rocks, similar to some of the hogbacks in the Denver area. Roundtrip took 1.5 hours.
Indian Mountain
I continued west on US 36, and west on County Road 47 to the unsigned Forest Service Road 118.2. I followed 118.2 to the intersection with an unnamed and unnumbered road heading northeast, then up another unnamed and unnumbered road heading southeast and ascending Button Rock Mountain’s north face. Where the road ended, I continued south to the very flat summit area climbing many rocky points before finally climbing the true northern summit containing the register. I continued back down to the road, then contoured southeast until I could see 7790. I then descended to the saddle and ascended 7790 finding good third class scrambling just below the summit. I traced my path back to parking area. Roundtrip took 4 hours.
Button Rock Mountain & 7790