Boston Peak (11,710) & UN 11606 by Brian Schultz Saturday August 26, 2023

Boston Peak:
Roundtrip mileage: 1.30 miles
Elevation gain: 600'
Start to finish: 1 hour 12 minutes

With a terrible forecast for all the mountain ranges, I changed my itinerary to climb some peaks with shorter approaches. I headed over to the Taylor Reservoir area yesterday afternoon, figuring I could climb a couple peaks in the morning before the storms rolled in. Skies were dark before I got to Westcliffe, and it was raining in Salida, Buena Vista, and over Cottonwood Pass as I drove to the Reservoir. At the Taylor Reservoir I drove Road 742 north, west on FR 748 and then north on FR 744.

I was looking for dispersed camping and thought I might have to pay at the Mosca Campground near Spring Creek Reservoir. But just before reaching the campground was a dispersed camp area where lots of RV's were parked and I found a spot.

The morning weather today was overcast with no change in the forecast of storms. I drove further up FR 744 and parked at a turn in the road north of Boston Peak. I'd be using John Kirk's track and began at 7:15 AM. It was a bushwhack up steep slopes, mostly grassy with some deadfall, and with a bit of talus before the summit. I was on top at 7:45 and signed the register just after Gerry and Jennifer Roach had signed in the month before. After a few minutes enjoying the views (photo 1, photo 2) I departed. It rained a few drops but nothing materialized before getting back to the truck.

UN 11606:
Roundtrip mileage: 3.00 miles
Elevation gain: 415'
Start to finish:1 hour 25 minutes

I continued on FR 744 and drove until it ended north of UN 11606. There is spacious parking here and a signed trail. Although not obvious, there are old road tracks to the left of the trail, which is important to find if you want the easiest way to the summit because the old road goes all the way to the top. At 9:05 AM, I started on the trail because I didn't see the old road. When I realized the trail was leading me away from the summit, I began a bushwhack up the forested slopes to the road. Interestingly, a route of sorts was marked with blue flagging and spray painted marks on the trees.

I soon joined the old road and followed it to the spacious, grassy flat summit, arriving at 9:45. There was minimal deadfall along the road but it was easy to get over or around. The return along the road to the parking area was quick and as I sat in my truck having a bite to eat, lots of ATV's and dirt bikes were coming up FR 744 and turning around when the drivers couldn't proceed any further. When I got back into cell coverage and found out the weather forecast looked to be improving greatly, I changed my itinerary and drove to Crested Butte.