When facing due north of Crested Butte, you can see a large ridge with three separate named peaks. I have wanted to summit these mountains all year. So, with winter knocking on the door, I decided it was time. After mentioning the run/hike to a couple people, and my friend Jake Jones decided to join me.
We left town around 7:30 AM, and drove out and parked at the West Brush Creek / Middle Brush Creek intersection. Shortly after 8:00 AM we started running.
To make this run a loop, we decided to take the Deer Creek Trail along the base of the mountain(s) and then climb the west ridge. This was a good choice, since I have not been on this trail since last summer. There are some solid climbs and great Aspen groves to run through. After about 6 miles on the trail, we got to the drainage that lead to the ridge we wanted to climb. After bushwhacking to the middle of the drainage, we found a game trail that lead up through an avalanche path and some thick pines. Finally we made it above tree line, and climbed the final steep ascent to the top of the ridge.
We left town around 7:30 AM, and drove out and parked at the West Brush Creek / Middle Brush Creek intersection. Shortly after 8:00 AM we started running.
To make this run a loop, we decided to take the Deer Creek Trail along the base of the mountain(s) and then climb the west ridge. This was a good choice, since I have not been on this trail since last summer. There are some solid climbs and great Aspen groves to run through. After about 6 miles on the trail, we got to the drainage that lead to the ridge we wanted to climb. After bushwhacking to the middle of the drainage, we found a game trail that lead up through an avalanche path and some thick pines. Finally we made it above tree line, and climbed the final steep ascent to the top of the ridge.
The views from this ridge are spectacular. It is so close to town (only a couple miles from the resort), but once on top it seems like an entirely different world. The mountains to the north are much more jagged and many rise up over 13,000 ft with a few 14ers mixed in. We would be spending most of our day above 12,500 ft just traversing the ridge.
We worked out way towards White Mtn, running when we could and hiking when it got steep. As we got higher, we found some small cornices on the ridge and snow in the northern basins. It didn't take long, and we were scrambling up the final ascent to the summit of White Mtn at 13,401 ft. Not too far away was White Rock Mtn, which is what I really wanted to summit, but the ridge to get there was much more technical and Jake had to get back to town before 3:00. So we decided to leave it for another day.
We worked out way towards White Mtn, running when we could and hiking when it got steep. As we got higher, we found some small cornices on the ridge and snow in the northern basins. It didn't take long, and we were scrambling up the final ascent to the summit of White Mtn at 13,401 ft. Not too far away was White Rock Mtn, which is what I really wanted to summit, but the ridge to get there was much more technical and Jake had to get back to town before 3:00. So we decided to leave it for another day.
After a short break and some food on the summit of White Mtn, we turned around and headed back down the ridge. This time branching off on another spur and heading towards our second destination, WSC Peak. Instead of traversing the more technical ridge, we dropped down into the basin and across a scree field to avoid having to do any rock climbing. Once across the scree, we quickly ascended back to the ridge and up to the summit of WSC Peak at 12,779 ft.
From the summit of WSC, we could see a couple hunters just below us in their bright orange. They must have been thrilled when we started running down the ridge and right past them. About a mile further down the ridge we passed a couple more hunters, these guys appeared to be sleeping, since they never moved or acknowledged us. We dropped a little lower on the ridge to make sure we did not startle them,
The final mile or so above tree line had a descent trail to follow. I am not sure if it was strictly a game trail, or mostly created by hunters. Regardless, it was nice having it there to follow. It continued through the woods further down the ridge, and at times reminded me of the Plunge. Just not as steep.
The picture to the right was taken at the last opening before we dropped into the trees. We eventually cut down to an old road (which has recently been closed) that we took back to West Brush Creek rd. After 6 hours, 5 min, 16.61 miles, 5,700 vert, and two summits, we made it back to Jake's truck.
This was a great run/hike, and I definitely plan to spend more time up on this ridge next year. It will be great training for the San Juan Solstice and possibly Hardrock (if by chance I get in). Here is my Garmin link for anyone who is interested in checking out our route.
The picture to the right was taken at the last opening before we dropped into the trees. We eventually cut down to an old road (which has recently been closed) that we took back to West Brush Creek rd. After 6 hours, 5 min, 16.61 miles, 5,700 vert, and two summits, we made it back to Jake's truck.
This was a great run/hike, and I definitely plan to spend more time up on this ridge next year. It will be great training for the San Juan Solstice and possibly Hardrock (if by chance I get in). Here is my Garmin link for anyone who is interested in checking out our route.
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