Calico Basin 5-Peak Hike (1/hr)

pics by Harlan W. S.
Oct 23, 2007

 

This hike involves ~7.5 miles and 3000’ accumulated elevation gain by map; but the true elevation gain may be more like 4000’, since the ridges are extremely serrated, with almost constant up-and-down with a 10’ amplitude that doesn’t show up in the maps.  The drops between peaks 3,4 and 5 are only 200’ so they wouldn’t qualify as separate peaks under the Colorado rule. 

 

Don’t be deceived by the modest elevations; the middle 5.5 miles of the hike are nearly non-stop scrambling, with a touch of class 4. I take a vacation day to do this hike, whenever I want to purge my mind; the constant decision-making for routes displaces worldly worries.  The navigation between peaks 3 and 5 is particularly mind-absorbing.

 

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View W. The east end of peak 1 (actually a serrated ridge, called Kraft Mt.) comes into view.  One can actually climb the backside of the tower via exposed class 3.

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View back E from the top of the tower.  This is not the highpoint of Kraft.

 

 

 

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View NW from the highpoint of peak 1; Turtlehead is the main peak just L of center, and Madre is R of Turtlehead.

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This panorama, on the way up peak 2, was taken several years before.  The Peaks are labeled.  Peak 3 (Turtlehead Jr., aka Redcap) is hidden by peak 2. The blue line represents a deep hidden cut between Peaks 4 and 5.

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Approaching Peak 2.  The small register on top, placed in 2004, is full with names, many from foreign countries.

 

 

 

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The last push to Peak 2.

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Looking back E from the W end of Peak 2.

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Now we’ve navigated up the N side of Peak 3 (Redcap). One cuts L…

 

 

 

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…up this cave.

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This is the crux of the route to Peak 3.  There is a valley between the two summits; one must climb down into this valley, and climb L over this boulder.

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The tinaja near the top of Peak 3 still had some water.

 

 

 

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From the top of Peak 3 (Redcap), view E, with the peaks numbered.  Peak 1 (Kraft Mt.) is largely hidden by Peak 2.

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This is the largest tank between Peaks 3 and 4.  I’ve never seen this tank full, though the tank to the N was full.

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Approaching the top of Peak 4; view E.

 

 

 

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From top of Peak 4, view E.

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On descending Peak 4, the big “Calico Tank” (the one with the trail) comes into view.

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Briefly one passes by Calico tank en route to Peak 5.

 

 

 

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View back over Calico Tank to Turtlehead.  The route to Peak 5, on the east end of the mountain, is exposed and involves some “big” moves.

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This is the TOP of peak 5; this very deep tank is very near the summit.

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View SW to Red Rocks, from top of Peak 5.

 

 

 

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Now one descends down the E-W gully.  The mountain in the distance is the same peak seen from the top of Peak 4 (photo above).

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The descent in the slot is actually one of the hardest parts of the trip. Here one looks down a vey deep chimney, with a 40’ drop to the bottom.

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Another deep dark section on the way out.

 

 

 

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The last tough spot involves squeezing through a narrow hole, and pulling your pack behind you.