UN 12752 , UN 12585, & Bobtail Benchmark (12,803) by Brian Schultz Wednesday August 29, 2018

UN 12752 & UN 12585:

Roundtrip mileage: 4.9 miles from Loveland Pass
Elevation gain: 2,085'
Start to finish: 3 hours 15 minutes
Participants: Brian Schultz and grandson Tyler

The weather was sunny but winds were gusting again for the third day in a row. We started at 8:40 AM from Loveland Pass and followed a good trail to the point on the ridge before 12752. The trail disappeared and moderately steep talus was ahead of us to the 12752 saddle. We stayed on the north side as we descended to the saddle and from there it was mostly easy grass to the summit. We arrived on top at 10:05 and stayed for fifteen minutes (photo 1).

On our return to the saddle we went up the south side of the ridge. It was faster and easier than the north side and once we got back on the trail, we only stopped for a brief chat with a couple dressed in winter coats before cruising over to UN 12585. We arrived at 11:20 (photo 1, photo 2), one hour after leaving 12752, and stayed until 11:35. This was the second time on 12585 for me. Lots of hikers were on the trail as we descended back to Loveland Pass and when we got there at 11:55, it was still early enough to drive over to Jones Pass and climb Bobtail Benchmark.

Bobtail Benchmark:

Roundtrip mileage: 1.1 miles from Jones Pass
Elevation gain: ~370'
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Participants: Brian Schultz and grandson Tyler

After climbing the 12ers from Loveland Pass we drove east to US 40 and headed up toward Berthoud Pass. We turned left on CR 202 and at a fork in the road kept right on the road to Jones Pass. The Jones Pass road was in good condition and other than a few narrow spots and steep sections, it was an easy drive to the pass at 12,500'. There was one vehicle at the pass and the driver nodded to us before he drove off. This has to be one of the easiest peaks to climb if you can drive to the pass because it's only a half mile to the summit with 370' feet of elevation gain.

We started at 1:35 PM on a good trail that went most of the way to the top. We topped out at 1:50 (photo 1, photo 2), stayed 5 minutes, and were back at the truck at 2:05. Quick and easy!