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South Mesa TH

Trip

Ascending Hikes - Endurance – South Mesa TH

We'll depart from the South Mesa Trailhead (fee parking lot) and make the wintry ascent to S. Boulder Peak and then traverse to Bear Peak. This out and back hike will reduce the elevation gain and overall trail mileage.

Contacts

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Terry Ploski
Primary Leader
  • Sat, Jan 10, 2026
  • Denver
  • Hiking
  • Adults
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 8.3 mi
  • High Point Elevation: 8,541 ft
  • Maximum Wind: 15 kts
  • Pace: 1.5 mph

Prepare for a serious winter hike with significant elevation gain as we depart from the S. Mesa Trailhead (fee lot), Eldorado Springs Drive. We'll ascend the S. Mesa Trail and the connecting trails to ascend the steep Shadow Canyon Trail. Starting our hike from the S. Mesa Trailhead will shave significant mileage and elevation gain as compared to starting from the NCAR Trailhead parking lot.

6:00am: Meet at the Colorado Mountain Club, form carpools, and depart by 6:15am SHARP! 6:45am: Meet at the S. Mesa Trailhead (fee) parking lot, assemble gear, short pre-hike briefing                                                                                                                                    7:00am: Our ascent will include NB S. Mesa Trail => WB Towhee Trail => NW Mesa Trail =>NW Shadow Canyon Trail (traction control devices are mandatory) => SB South Boulder Peak Trail => 10:00 AM S. Boulder Peak summit => NB S. Boulder Peak Trail => NB Bear Peak Trail => 11:00 AM Bear Peak Summit => SB Bear Peak Trail => SE Shadow Canyon Trail => SE Mesa Trail => S Towhee Trail => SB Mesa Trail => 1:00 PM S. Mesa Trailhead

Route/Place

South Mesa TH

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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

10 essentials Leader strongly recommends bringing trekking poles, traction control devices - YakTrax, microspikes, crampons, gaiters - and warm, windproof/waterproof layers. The ambient temperature will range from zero to forty degrees. Windy conditions are probable on the approaching trails and also at the mountain peaks. Hat, gloves or mittens, and stout footwear are highly recommended. I expect our rate of travel at 1 mph on the steep ascending trails and ~2 mph on approaching and descending trails. I expect to finish the hike NLT 1:00pm!

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