Bald Eagle Mountain (11,917) & Buckeye Peak (12,873) by Brian Schultz Monday July 25, 2022

Bald Eagle Mountain:
Roundtrip mileage: 2.25 miles from FR 105.1A
Elevation gain: 840'
Start to finish: 1 hour 35 minutes

From Leadville I drove Road 104 to Turquoise Lake, turned left on road 105 (also CR 4), and then a sharp left on FR 105.1A. This forest road is slow driving and narrow in some spots before reaching the road junction northeast of Bald Eagle Mountain. I truckcamped at this junction and began at 6:00 AM by walking up the road (a sign states no motorized vehicles allowed on this road).

Sunny skies but strong winds accompanied me as I stayed on the winding road bearing southwest toward Bald Eagle Mountain. I departed the road when it began heading west and kept the southwest bearing on mostly grassy slopes toward the summit. When I gained the slopes above, I saw the large rock slabs that comprise the summit. It's an unusual and very cool looking summit.

I went to the left side of the summit and started up the backside of the blocks (class 3 climbing and very fun) with just a few steps needed to touch the top. The easier way is to turn right as you approach the summit and climb up class 2+ rocks. I descended this way. The summit register was in a jar placed by Alyson Kirk and it's wedged in between the two large rock slabs. I didn't stay very long because I wanted to climb another peak north of Leadville but this is definitely one of the more memorable peaks I've climbed lately.

Buckeye Peak:

Roundtrip mileage: 2.55 miles from road east of Tennessee Pass
Elevation gain: 1,625'
Start to finish: 2 hours 40 minutes

After Bald Eagle Mountain, I drove back to Leadville and up to Tennessee Pass. I've been on FR 102 twice before but this time drove it past the yurts and turned onto FR 102.2A. The gate was open and I drove to 11,250' elevation before parking. The road continues higher but I was comfortable where I parked as private property is encountered further up the road.

I began at 10:00 AM hiking up the road a short distance before departing it and heading through the trees, mindful of the private property. Once through the trees it's a moderately steep grunt up mostly grassy slopes to the summit. The summit has expansive views and also has two benchmarks (photo 1, photo 2). The weather was great, which was much appreciated in the monsoon season, and I stayed on top for 20 minutes. The descent was much easier and quicker than my ascent and I was back at my truck at 12:40.