UN 9397, UN 9120, China Wall (9,199), & Round Mountain (9,037) by Brian Schultz Thursday August 24, 2023

UN 9397:
Roundtrip mileage: 0.60 miles
Elevation gain: 450'
Start to finish: 40 minutes

My first peak would have a late start after driving in from out of state but fortunately, the weather forecast was great for the whole day. After stopping in Evergreen for lunch with Dave Chamberlin, I drove Hwy 285 to Como and just north of town turned onto County Road 77. I was pleasantly surprised that it's a paved road because I'd never been on this road in all the years I've driven around Colorado. I approached UN 9397 from a forest road off CR 77 (north of the peak) and followed FR 214.A to a campsite southwest of the peak. I began at 2:55 PM by steering clear of the cliffs straight ahead and hiking to their right. Once on the south ridge it was an easy jaunt to the summit. The return went quickly.

UN 9120:
Roundtrip mileage: 1.80 miles
Elevation gain: 675'
Start to finish: 1 hour 20 minutes

From UN 9397 it's a short drive down CR 77 to the Spruce Grove campground and the outer parking area for hikers. I began hiking the road through the campground at 4:10 PM and continued past the bathrooms. The trail goes over a bridge (photo 1, photo 2) and past some campsites. Be sure to continue past the last campsite because if you take the trail on the left just past the bridge like I did, you'll have to return or contour over to the correct trail.

The peak looms above on the right as the trail winds around it to a saddle. When the trail began descending, I departed it to the right and made a line straight toward the summit. Upon reaching the high rock wall, I turned left and found the described ramp that leads above the wall. Once above the wall, the summit is to the right. I stayed a few minutes on top (photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4) before making a quick return. Super fun peak!

China Wall:
Roundtrip mileage: 1.15 miles
Elevation gain: 315'
Start to finish: 33 minutes

Another short drive down CR 77 brought me to FR 212. This is a good road and I parked at the base of a 4x4 road, at first thinking I could drive it but it's extremely steep and I quickly came to my senses. I started up the road at 6:05 PM and departed it when I was southwest of the peak. It was just a short hike to the summit and I didn't stay long. I wanted to get in another peak before dark and made the quick descent back to my vehicle.

Round Mountain:
Roundtrip mileage: 0.95 miles
Elevation gain: 300'
Start to finish: 33 minutes

I drove over to CR 31 and parked near a kiosk west of the summit. I began at 7:10 PM, not sure which side of the fence I should be on, and just followed the fence until it turned to the left. I crossed over it and shortly afterward was on the summit. I hurried back wondering if I could squeeze in another peak but darkness was settling in quickly and I called it a day. These were all easy peaks. With an early morning start, one could climb many peaks in the area.