Ida - Chief Cheley - Cracktop - Julian - Terra Tomah
Dates: July 22, 2024 (Mon)Trip Report #: 720Partner: Will Starks
Route: ~15 miles round trip, ~5400 ft gain/loss, 5 summits, up to 3rd
MT. IDA (12,874')
CHIEF CHELEY PEAK (12,804')
CRACKTOP (12,766')
MOUNT JULIAN (12,928')
TERRA TOMAH MOUNTAIN (12,018')
A nice high-ridgeline traverse over five summits in RMNP.
Intro
It was an unusually cold spell in the montains (highs in the high 40's in mid-July!), a bit too cold for my wimpy fingers for climbing. So it was a good day to go on a peak-bagging advenutre. I had sort of made it my vague goal to get to every named summit in my backyard Rocky Mountain National Park. I had been scoping out a traverse of five RMNP summits—Ida, Chief Cheley, Cracktop, Julian, and Terra Tomah—that would be quite doable in a single day.
My friend Will, who also loves a good day of mountain exercise, joined me for this traverse.
Below is a map, area overlay, and photos from the fun day peak bagging in my backyard!
Map and area overlay
Photos
Poudre Lake Trailhead at Milner Pass to Mt. Ida
Hiked the trail to the summit of Ida (2nd).
Mt. Ida to Chief Cheley
Down and up on ridge (3rd).
Chief Cheley to Cracktop
Down and up on ridge (3rd).
Cracktop to Mount Julian
Down and up on ridge (3rd).
Mount Julian to Terra Tomah Mountain
Down and up on ridge (3rd).
Terra Tomah Mountain to Poudre Lake Trailhead at Milner Pass
Reverse the route (3rd).