Redcloud Peak (14,034) by Brian Schultz Tuesday July 31, 2001
Weather forecasts called for rain today but the sky was clear when I left for the Silver Creek trailhead. Art and Mark begged off the hike because of our late arrival last night and fatigue from two days of hiking. I didn't see a single car from Lake City to the trailhead and cruised up there in forty minutes. Nor did I see any bears on the shelf road like two years ago but heard there's been lots of sightings around the state this summer.
A number of people were milling about in the parking lot but only one looked to be hiking as I loaded up my pack. I left at 7:30 and she about two minutes later. She passed me when I stopped to put on sunscreen, chatted briefly and motored on. We appeared to be the only hikers on the trail and despite moving considerably slower than her I caught up when she took breaks. And though late in July there were still a few large snowbanks on the trail before it cut away from the creek and entered the basin below the summit. The trail in the grassy meadow was fun hiking and opened up wonderful views of the surrounding peaks as it gained elevation to the saddle. From the saddle I spotted two people way below on the trail. More company after all.
The ridge was a little steeper after the saddle than I remember from two years ago. I needed a few breaks on the switchbacks to catch my breath but again caught up to the other hiker resting below the summit. We paired up and hiked the remaining distance to the summit, reaching it at 10:22. The weather was fine on top but looking bad behind Sunshine. She was heading over after a short break, I was staying put. Tracy was spending her break from college adding a few more peaks to her list and asked what others I had planned on this trip. When I mentioned Jason and I were doing Mt Wilson she asked if she could join and I told her to meet us at the Silver Pick trailhead on Thursday evening. How I wish I had her phone number when plans changed two days later. My sincerest apologies to her if she showed up.
Tracy departed for Sunshine while I stayed on Redcloud keeping an eye on the incoming weather. I had great views of Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre for a while but after 35 minutes on top I headed down to safer terrain. Moving quickly, I passed an older couple getting close to the summit and two slow-moving hikers on the switchbacks. The first raindrops hit when I was in the basin and in no time the downpour began. Two more people trudging up the trail wondered how long it would last and though it looked like an all day rain it quit before I got back. I reached the truck at 12:47, giving me a long afternoon to spend in town but I looked forward to meeting everyone for dinner at Poker Alice. Art and Mark were the first to show up from horseback riding, Jason came in from hiking San Luis, and Tim finally rolled in after a long drive from the Springs. Lots of fourteener stories were shared while eating pizza.
Trailhead to summit- 2 hours 52 minutes
Total hiking time- 5 hours 17 minutes (including all breaks)