Summary
Huron Peak Elevation 14,012ft.
(Aug. 25, 2002)
"South Clear Creek Trail Head", this trail is a class 2, trail runs
(4.0 miles rt. with 3,400ft. gain). This TH also know as the South
Winfield 4X4 TH, is located 2 miles down a 4X4 road starting at the small town
of Winfield. The first .5 miles of the 4X4 road is very rough, but after that
point the road flattens out and in not too bad. The Huron Peak trail starts at
the Forest Service closer gate. The trail up to the summit was very well maintained,
except the last 300ft. The trail uses many switchbacks and crosses a beautiful
basin.
The night before the climb I had the pleasure of watching a community
of Snowshoe Hare play and eat just after sundown. They were curious enough to
get close to my truck and then jump back and run around. In the morning on the
hike up I ran into some more Snowshoe Hare as well as some Mule Deer in the high
mountain basin. After climbing up the first thousand feet through the trees, the
trail emerges above tree line and into a high mount basin. The trail continues across
the basin to the other side where it turn to the right and switchbacks up the
Huron's North slope. Once you reach the north ridge, at the top of the
north slope, the trail reaches to top by going straight up to the top. The trail
from the ridge to the top was in poor condition. The views from the top of Huron
Peak where unbelievable (many books have mentioned the views from the top of
Huron being the best in the Sawatch range). I would have enjoyed the views a
little longer, but my body was pleading for relief, so I headed back down the
mountain to give my body some well deserved rest.
See My Slideshow