Otis Peak/Hallett Peak/Flattop Mtn. (4)
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• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  June 13, 2010
  • Miles Hiked:  12.0
  • Elevation Gain:  4,000'   
  • Hiking Partner(s):  Scott Borger
• Description:
  • The forecast for Sunday was bad, but Scott and I wanted to get a few miles in and decided to head back to Rocky Mountain National Park anyway.  We left the Glacier Gorge Trailhead at 4:30 am and made quick work of the hike to to the base of the Flour Power Couloir on the south side of Otis Peak.  We had been rained and snowed on for much of the hike in but were still in good spirits as we geared up on the apron of the couloir.  Given the warm temperatures over the past two weeks, we anticipated some rock steps and melted out sections of the couloir, but decided to attempt it regardless.
  • Entering the couloir required a couple of careful moves on a weak snow bridge and loose rock.  After about 100', we found good consolidated snow and were able to kick steps up the narrowing couloir.  The route was very fun and memorable as the couloir is very inset with high walls on either sides.  We snow-climbed for a while and reached our first crux of the day.  We moved to the right and used both rock and ice to surmount a short step about one-third of the way up the route.  We were on good snow again for a short time before we had two more melted out, loose, class three rock steps to overcome similar to the entrance of the couloir.  Another section of snow-climbing led us to our second crux which was an overhanging rock step with few holds.  We abandoned all style at this point.  Scott found a bomber tool placement and did a butt smear/shimmy to gain easier ground.  I followed him up the rock using the same technique.  Fortunately, there was only about 200' of steep snow-climbing before we topped out on the couloir only a hop, skip, and a jump from the summit of Otis Peak.
  • Despite the overcast and snowy skies, we traversed over to Hallett Peak and then down to Flattop Mountain before heading down the Flattop Trail and back to the Glacier Gorge trailhead past Bear Lake.  It was a great route that we both enjoyed.  Two weeks ago it would have likely been a total steep snow climb.  We had lunch at Oskar Blues in Lyons (CO) after returning to the trailhead at 12:45 pm.  We got several good photos from the day.
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.
• Photographs:
  • Approaching the Flour Power Couloir.
  • Scrambling to the entrance of the climb.
  • Snow Bridge
  • Starting up the route.
  • Negotiating the first constriction to get into the couloir.
  • Scott already enjoying the day.
  • Flour Power Couloir looks somewhat menacing.
  • Finally on some consolidated snow.
  • Scott working his way up the snow.
  • Entering a narrow constriction in the couloir.
  • Our first crux was a short rock/ice step.
  • Scott getting a stick.
  • Scott working his way up the step.
  • He wedged himself between the snow and rock for purchase.
  • James starting up the step.
  • James clearing the step.
  • James almost on safer ground.
  • Another melted out class three rock step.
  • Scott back on solid snow.
  • Approaching our third class three rock step.
  • Looking toward our final crux of the day.
  • James scratching for a hold on the third class three rock step.
  • Pulling the step.
  • James starting up the final crux.
  • Executing the patented butt smear.
  • Almost over the top.
  • The steep snow seemed easy after the rock steps.
  • We can see the ridgeline and end of the couloir above.
  • Scott on another ribbon of snow.
  • A narrow hogs back at the top of the climb where two couloirs converge.
  • Scott climbing the hogs back.
  • Conditions varied throughout the day, but we definitely got snowed on.
  • Almost to pay dirt.
  • Finishing the steep snow at the top of Flour Power Couloir.
  • Nearing the upper ridge of Otis Peak.
  • James on the summit of Otis Peak.
  • Scott's summit photo.
  • Heading over to Hallett Peak.
  • Scott on the summit of Hallett Peak.
  • Heading over to Flattop Mountain.
  • James on the summit of Flattop Mountain.

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