Scramble – Desolation peaks

Students from the Northern Colorado Scrambling Course 2025 can request trip leader permission to join this scramble starting on May 31st at 5 pm. Participants will be accepted on a first come basis and please include screening questions in your request. Please include: Recent hikes / scrambles in last 12 months with date, mileage, vertical gain, and class rating.

*Note: no need to include more than 3 trips in response, please include most recent.

**This trip will be open to all CMC members as of June 9th, 2025 @ 5 pm.

DESOLATION PEAKS

This is a 10+ mile out and back route with ~2,500 feet of vertical gain that will be on single track for ~ 6 miles and off trail for ~ 4 miles. The off trail section will include a round trip traverse between East and West Desolation, about 0.7 miles, of class 3 scrambling that Lisa Foster describes as "exposed and exciting." A narrow angle chimney takes you 15 feet up to the summit block, which Lisa Foster rates as class 3+. I have seen other resources site this section as class 4. The trip leaders will bring a rope to provide a belay and/or setup a fixed line in exposed areas if desired by any participants. Based on weather and the groups decision we might add on the CCY summits of the Mummy Range on the descent as we will be passing right next to them (Mount Chapin, Mount Chiquita, and Ypsilon Mountain).

Location: Chapin Pass Trailhead on Old Fall River Road in RMNP

Time: Meet at 4:00 am and start hiking at 4:15 am (Sunrise ~ 5:40 am)

Carpools from Fort Collins and other locations will be arranged prior to the trip.