DeshAwa - North Arapaho - Sorth Arapaho traverse

Other times I've gotten to a summit on this traverse:
Category: Colorado (Indian Peaks)Elevation: 10,100-13,502 ftRock Type: Gneiss & Granite
Dates: August 7, 2024 (Wed)Trip Report #: 730Partner: solo

Route: ~17 miles, ~6000 ft gain/loss, 3 summits, rock to 5.0

Scoping out the end section of the LA Freeway.

Intro

I have my sights set on the "LA Freeway", a 38(or so)-mile ridgeline traverse from Longs Peak to Arapaho Peaks. I've been scoping out various "crux" sections. At the time of this trip report, I had scoped out all of the 4th and 5th class sections on the traverse except the North Buttress (5.0) of Deshawa and the Northeast Ridge (4th) or North Arapaho Peak. Since Deshawa and North Arapaho are adjacent peaks, it would be possible to scope out both in one day.

The Arapaho Peaks are easily accessed from the Fourth of July Trailhead. My initial plan had been to traverse over the Arapaho Peaks and continue north to Deshawa, descending Deshawa's north side as a means to find the 5.0 route. Then I would reverse the traverse. But then I landed on an excellent trip report describing a loop hike that accessed the north side of North Arapaho from Wheeler Basin. There is no trail into the basin, but after a bit of initial bushwhacking the travel is relatively pleasant through meadows and forests with minimal undergrowth. In his Indian Peaks guidebook, Gerry Roach describes Wheeler Basin as a fairyland. With the bubbling brooks, flowery meadows, and cirque of mountains above, I can see why he would say this. I (correctly) figured this approach could also access the north side of Deshawa, and from there I could traverse south towards the Arapaho Peaks, and eventually land back on the trail, making a nice loop trip.

The ridge traverse from Deshawa to South Arapaho was quite enjoyable. Thanks to overlays on mountainpainproject and the aforementioned trip report, I had no difficulties identifying the correct routes through the 5.0 and 4th class cruxes. 

The entire adventure took me 8 hours and 42 minutes. I didn't see a single other person until I was hiking the Arapaho Pass trail back to Fourth of July Trailhead.

The following page contains a map and photos from my traverse.

Map

Photos

Fourth of July Trailhead to Wheeler Basin to Deshawa

Fourth of July Trailhead: 10,100 ftArapaho Pass: 11,906 ftDeshawa: 12,796 ftSplit time Trailhead to Arapaho Pass: 1:18Split time Arapaho Pass to Deshawa summit: 3:48Cumulative time: 5:06

Trail to Arapaho Pass to Wheeler Basin to North Ridge (5.0) of Deshawa

Nearing Arapaho Pass. I had started in the dark so this was the first photo I took.
At Arapaho Pass.
Looking north down into Coyote Park. Wheeler Basin is the basin nestled behind the major ridge on the right.
The wildflowers were out en mass.
Wildflowers.
Paintbrush.
Harebell.
Once I was at the entrance to Wheeler Basin, I left the trail and crossed Arapaho Creek on this log.
The entrance to Wheeler Basin was a bit 'schwacky. It got better as I moved further into the basin.
A pile of bear poop. Giant pile = giant bear?
I came upon some old pots and pans. Apparently there is an old miners' home still standing in Wheeler Basin, but I did not find it. (Webpage with photos of the cabin.)
When I got home, I looked at my GPS track from my Garmin Watch on a satellite backgound. Turns out I passed about 100 feet west of the cabin!
The Wheeler Basin fairyland.
Elephant's head.
Elephant's head.
Gentian.
Upper Wheeler Basin. The Peak on the left is Deshawa and to the right is North Arapaho. I scrambled up the obvious talus field to the notch just north (left in photo) of Deshawa.
Nearing the notch just north of Deshawa.
Looking up Deshawa from the notch. The 5.0 corner is the leftmost corner in the photo.
The 5.0 corner that is the crux of the North Butress of Deshawa.
Looking towards the summit of Deshawa from above the 5.0 corner. Just 3rd class from here.
A view to the east. This area is in the Boulder watershed.
A view to the north towards Arikaree Peak.
On top of Deshawa.

Deshawa to North Arapaho Peak

Deshawa: 12,796 ftNorth Arapaho Peak: 13,502 ftSplit time: 1:06Cumulative time: 6:12

South Slopes (2nd) of Deshawa to Northeast Ridge (4th) of North Arapaho Peak.

North Arapaho Peak as seen from the summit of Deshawa. The ridge is the Northeast Ridge (4th).
Looking down the Northeast Ridge (4th).
The 4th class crux of the route is negotiating the gendarme in the photo by weaving a path first up and then right. I had a nice image of the route from this wonderful trip report I found online.
The 4th class crux of  the Northeast Ridge (4th) of North Arapaho.
After the crux, it's 3rd class to the top. I went up left (east) of the ridge proper.
A pretty flower garden en route.
On top of North Arapaho.
On top of North Arapaho.

North Arapaho Peak to South Arapaho Peak

North Arapaho Peak: 13,502 ftSouth Arapaho Peak: 13,397 ftSplit time: 0:40Cumulative time: 6:52

Arapaho Peaks Traverse (4th).

View towards South Arapaho from the summit of North Arapaho. This is the Arapaho Traverse (4th).
An arrow marks the 4th class crux. It's just a single move of 4th class with no exposure. (Photo taken looking back up at the crux after down climbing it. You go up it if you are going towards North Arapaho.)
Nearing the summit of South Arapaho.
A cool radial peak identifier on top of South Arapaho,
A view back towards North Arapaho from the summit of South Arapaho. This is the Arapaho Traverse (4th).

South Arapaho Peak to Fourth of July Trailhead

South Arapaho Peak: 13,397 ftFourth of July Trailhead: 10,100 ftSplit time: 1:50Cumulative time: 8:42

Trail.

The clouds were building as I hiked out. This photo was taken around 1pm. A couple of hours later, just after I had arrived back home in Estes Park, a powerful thunderstorm moved through. I would not have wanted to be on the ridge in that thunderstorm!
Total ascent: 9,025 feet. I think my watch was having a hard time finding sattelllites since the profile had a lot of small ups and downs. I think a more realistic estimate of my total elevation gain/loss is about 6000 feet.
Beautiful flowers alongside the trail.
On the drive out I passed by the popular Hesse Trailhead. The road was lined with cars as usual.

previous and next adventures