California Peak

California Peak (13,849′)
9.6 miles
4,200 feet elevation gain

The weather forecast for Labor Day weekend had us in the “Goldilocks zone” of perfect hiking weather, with blue skies, low winds and warm temperatures. Recent rains had tamped down the wildfires and smoke across the state, so everything lined up perfectly for us to day-hike a couple of 13ers in the Sangres.

It was great to make a family gathering out of it. My Uncle John and cousins, Matt and Dave were all able to join me.

The dirt road up Huerfano Valley was rough as I remembered it. This time I didn’t have to drive the last, roughest mile of it, because we were starting our hike from the Zapata Trail parking.We didn’t start hiking until 8:20. The trail started upward right away, climbing steadily through the aspen forest, eventually popping out into a flat, open meadow, where we were able to preview a good portion of the route ahead.The trail returned to the forest, switchbacking up through the evergreens all the way to a broad, grassy saddle at 11,900 feet.Above us was a herd of a dozen or so bighorn sheep, mostly just lying around, but always keeping an eye on us. After a good break at the saddle, we continued up the slope to the left of them. One of the sheep kept coming closer to investigate us, but eventually retreated around the bend.Ahead of us lay a long, steep grassy slope. Having flown from sea level the day before, we had not had time to fully acclimate. Matt had never hiked at altitude before, and the thin air was being especially hard on him. As we neared the top of the slope, it was clear he was getting altitude sickess. Above us meanwhile, a cloud had bubbled from nothing into a developing rain shower, with virga building. We all stopped and talked it over, and reluctantly agreed it would be best for Matt to stay behind as the rest of us continued to the summit and returned as quickly as possible.

Matt took some breaks and continued walking. He ended up making it all the way to 13,200 feet, where he would enjoy the view and wait for us.Meanwhile, the “false summit” we were anticipating turned out to be about four false summits. It was mostly grass, followed by talus hiking to the final apex.We arrived at the (final) summit of California Peak at 1:30pm. The clouds had dissipated to the east, and we were able to sit and enjoy the view for 15 minutes. Blanca Peak, Ellingwood Point, Huerfano Peak, and to the north the Great Sand Dunes and Crestones made up the highlights.Then… the long way down… and up and over all the false summits again.Besides the sheep, we saw a lot of wildlife today, including a big mule deer buck, fat ptarmigan, pikas, chipmunks, and hawks. We saw only four or five people all day, most doing the loop to or from Lily Lake. Just across from the crowded 14ers, there was plenty of solitude to be had on California Peak.