James Peak (1)
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• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  November 13, 2004
  • Miles Hiked:  6.2
  • Elevation Gain:  2,900'
  • Hiking Partner(s):  Scott Waldick & Ryan Badtke
• Description:
  • James Peak is the Gilpin County Highpoint and the fifth highest point in the Indian Peaks.  This trip was originally planned for a 14er, but after a less than promising forecast, we decided to scale back and do something easier and closer to Denver.  I hooked up Scott, whom I met on the Culebra Peak group hike, and his hiking partner Ryan.  Ryan mentioned to Scott that he had wanted to snowboard off James Peak which appealed to Scott, so I tagged along for the ride.
  • To access James Peak, we used the St. Marys Glacier Trailhead and took the standard route up the southeast slopes.  We had initially anticipated a cloud covered day, but we were fortunate to have relatively clear skies and great views the entire day.  I don't know how many times the three of us stated how glad we were to have made the trip despite the poor weather outlook.
  • The trail climbs to the dam at the base of St. Marys Glacier, and then you simply hike to the top of the glacier.  Continuing west, you reach a small spur and a large plateau that will lead to the base of James Peak's slopes.  From here you follow a gentle ridge to the summit while taking in the views of James' rather impressive east face.  Scott and Ryan started boarding south off the peak and then turned east to pick the trail up at the base of the ridge.  After a short hike across the plateau and meeting up with me, they were able to get back on their boards at the top of the glacier and board to the dam.
  • We used snowshoes all the way from the dam to the summit.  Three other people who summitted did not, but their tracks did show a bit of post holing.  Once on the summit, I decided to attempt to speed up the descent by removing my snowshoes.  Scott and Ryan reported that the snow was in good condition for boarding and they only hit a few rocks.  After returning to the vehicle, we stopped at Tommy Knockers in Idaho Springs for a quick beer before going home.  
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.
• Photographs:
  • Looking back to the east from just above St. Marys Lake dam with Fox Mountain in the background.
  • Scott is hauling his snowboard up the St. Marys Glacier.
  • James Peak from the plateau to the east.
  • After starting up the southeast slopes, I turned around and took this photo of the plateau and low clouds to the east with Scott, Ryan, and two other hikes below.
  • A close up of James Peak's east face.
  • My summit photo.
  • Ryan and Scott's summit photo.
  • A small taste of the views we had for much of the day.
  • They are difficult to see, but the two small black dots on the side of the mountain are Scott and Ryan working their way back over to the trail.
  • When we got back to the base of the glacier, there was a winter climbing course taking place.

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