Ascending Hikes – Browns Creek Trailhead

Wooly Mammoth CDOT PNR, Section BB (Across from the Exxon Gas Station), 18560 US-40, Golden, CO 80401 Meet on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 2:00pm, form carpools, and depart by 2:15pm to the Mount Antero Trailhead. The trip is 276 miles RT at a standard mileage reimbursement rate of 30-cents/mile = $82.80/vehicle. The mileage cost is apportioned by all the passengers and driver. If there are three passengers and a driver per vehicle, the individual cost is $82.80/4 = $20.70.

All participants have a choice of either camping overnight near the trailhead; or, driving to the trailhead early Saturday morning. I plan an alpine start of 4:00am to accommodate those either camping near the trailhead or driving to the trailhead early Saturday morning.

Recent alpine activity is highly recommended to mitigate acute mountain sickness.  Recommend recent ascent of >3,000' or hike >10+ miles in any given hike, mountaineering, or backpacking trip. Positive, judgment free attitude is expected. Overnight camping at either Alpine Lake - across from the Mount Antero trailhead - or the Chalk Creek (fee) Campground. Alpine start at 4:00am, several wide stream crossings, with anticipated ascent of Mount Antero between 9:30am - 10:30am.  Turnaround time of 11:00am. Return to Mount Antero trailhead between 2:00pm-3:00pm. COTREX Link, https://trails.colorado.gov/map/@38.695409,-106.266710,13.62z#activity=hiking   Cf.: 14.ers.com Link, https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=ante1

Route: Start up the #277 jeep road. Hike 3 miles to a road junction at 10,850'. Turn left and ascend the #278 jeep road and cross the stream at Baldwin Creek. Continue nearly 1.5 miles to reach tree line and stay on the road as it begins to switchback up Antero's west slopes. Continue on the road as it zig zags up the west side of Point 13,800'. Near 12,800', there's a long section of the road that ascends south to reach the ridge crest, near 13,100'. Once on the ridge, our next goal is to reach the top of Point 13,800' by continuing east on the #278A road. Shortly after leaving the ridge crest, we'll stay left at a junction. Walk another 0.4 mile and stay left at another junction near 13,200'. Continue up the south side of Point 13,800' to reach a small saddle on the east side Point 13,800'. Follow the ridge crest and then trail segments along the right side. After the ridge section, reach a small saddle at 13,850', at the base of the final pitch. A broken trail traverses right of the ridge crest and across the upper south slope before turning toward the summit. We'll ascend the direct line, subject to local conditions, to the Mount Antero summit.

Difficulty: Class 2; Risk Factors: (1) Exposure: moderate; (2) Rockfall potential: moderate; (3) Route-finding: low; and (4) Commitment: moderate

Total gain: 5,200' w/start at 9,400' and summit at 14,271' Round trip length: 15.5 miles