Shoshoni - Apache - Navajo - nIwot Ridge
Dates: July 15, 2024 (Mon)Trip Report #: 716Partner: solo
Route: ~14 miles round trip, ~5000 ft gain/loss, 4 summits, rock up to 4th
SHOSHONI PEAK (12,967')
APACHE PEAK (13,441')
NAVAJO PEAK (13,409')
NIWOT RIDGE (13,023')
Scoping out another rugged 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. One section I wanted to scope out was the section between Shoshoni and Navajo Peaks. This section is quite rugged in appearance, containing multipe towers (called "The Chessmen"), but apparently they can be traversed on the east by 3rd and 4th class scrambling (and indeed they can be, as I discovered).
The traverse ended up being a fuller day than I expected, taking me a bit over 9 hours. I didn't see a single other person on the ridge, and I was treated to several cool moments, such as encountering a mamma ptarmigan and her energetic quintuplets, hiking past numerous fields of wildflowers, navigating an efficient and enjoyable 3rd/4th class path from Shoshoni to Navajo, spotting an elusive pine martin, seeing the weather equipment and Boulder watershed signs on Niwot Ridge, and more. What an enjoyable way to get in some exercise.
The following page contains a map and photos from my traverse.
Map
Photos
Niwot Picnic Area/Trailhead to Pawnee Pass to Shoshoni Peak
Hiked the trail to Pawnee Pass. Ascended North Ridge (2nd) of Shoshoni Peak.
Shoshoni Peak to Apache Peak
Traversed from Shoshoni to the start of "The Chessmen". Most of the towers can by bypassed on the east by 3rd and 4th class scrambling on exposed ledges. The routefinding is pretty intuitive, especially if you just stick to the east side. After passing by all of the towers, I scrambled easily to the summit of Apache.
Apache Peak to Navajo Peak
Descended South Ridge (3rd) of Apache Peak, traversed around Dicker's Peck on its east side, and ascended West Chimney (4th) of Navajo Peak.
Navajo Peak to Niwot Ridge
Descended East Ridge (3rd) of Navajo Peak and ascended West Ridge (3rd) of Niwot Ridge to highpoint.
Niwot Ridge to Trailhead
From Niwot Ridge, I desceded a steep grassy slope to the Lake Isabelle Trail and hiked back to the trailhead. I had parked at Niwot Picnic/Trailhead Parking.