Mount Flora

Description:

Moderate hike of Mount Flora for Alumni of Flea the Scree and Friends. Think of this as a “warmup” winter hike, so not too strenuous, but expect winter conditions (cold, wind, snow).

Follow the caltopo route, going up the Mount Flora Trail all the way to Mount Flora and staying away from any steep and/or avalanche prone terrain to the north and south of the trail. On the way back, if time permits, we may divert slightly to visit Colorado Mines Peak and return to the parking via the Colorado Mines Trail.

Route: https://caltopo.com/m/73R1P

Pace: ~ 1.5 -2.0 mph (depending on early season fitness and conditions)

Distance: ~ 7 mi

Ascent: ~ 2115 ft

Elevation: ~13115 ft

Duration: ~ 6 hrs

Turnaround: ~ 11:00 PM (depending where we are and how we are feeling)

Trailhead

Saturday 11/11 @ 7:50 AM

Berthoud Pass

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dmMMGnbPLJCoefAa6

Conditions

Avalanche Forecast - We'll be avoiding traveling in or close to avalanche terrain. No requirement for avy gear on this hike.

• Home | Colorado Avalanche Information Center (state.co.us)
• Mount Flora Avalanche Forecast | OpenSnow
• Summary: The danger scale is low, however, avalanches are still possible around certain terrain features and there are small sections of avalanche prone terrain on the way up to Colorado Mines Peak, so we will have to be vigilant and avoid.
• Excerpt: You can trigger an avalanche where you find more than about six inches of drifted snow on high-elevation north through northeast to east-facing slopes. Be cautious of areas where drifted snow rests on lingering patches of old snow, like in gullies and below ridgelines. If you observe cracking or collapsing in the new snow, then move to wind-sheltered or low-angle slopes.

Weather:

• 7-Day Forecast 39.79N 105.74W (weather.g
• Mount Flora Weather Forecast | OpenSnow
• Temps are projected to be between 13 and 19 degrees fahrenheit during our hike so bundle up and be sure to cover extremities to prevent frostbite
• Winds are projected to be blowing WNW with gusts between 43 and 55 mph so be sure to stay well away from any edges

Reports:

• No recent reports

Equipment

• 10 Essentials
• Shell Layer (required)
• Insulation Layer (required)
• Eye Protection/Goggles/Shades (required)
• Face Protection/Balaclava/Buff (required)
• Hand Protection/Mittens/Gloves (required)
• Traction/Microspikes (required)
• Flotation/Snowshoes (optional, I’m going to take my chances, don’t think much snow has collected along the trail)

Emergency

Emergency Service:

Call 911

Medical Facility:

Centura St Anthony Hospital

11600 W 2nd Pl, Lakewood, CO 80228

+1-720-321-0000

https://maps.app.goo.gl/is6yR6QYZGgYEyaB8

Emergency contact: Pam Sartori, 719 761 3196.  If the group is not heard from by 6:00pm, Saturday, March 11th, she will call 911 and share the group's itinerary with them. She will also call the Clear Creek County Sheriff's office. Others who have the itinerary can contact Pam at 7:00pm.

References

Mount Flora - Climbing Routes, Photos & Maps | 14ers.com

Mount Flora Trail, Colorado - 3,776 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

Mount Flora : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Mount Flora | 13,129' › Mt. Flora North Ridge Route, Map & Photos / Colorado 13ers (climb13ers.com)

Carpool

Saturday 11/11 @ 7 AM

Wooly Mammoth - Section AA/BB

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gbhhi2Tbih7ncfxD7

> Approx 50 min to trailhead