Old Man Bull

Date Climbed:  August 9, 2014 Climbing Party: Amanda Harnden, Aaron Dover R/T Mileage:  8 miles Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,900' Leading up to this weekend, this summer had been really busy for the two of us.  When we finally caught a break from everything and decided to take a weekend and go hike/camp in the Elk Range. Our sights were set on Castle and Conundrum Peaks.  The two peaks are connected by a very thin ridge line, and can be done in one hike.  So, after work on Friday (literally…at 4:10) we booked it up 285 to Buena Vista and over Independence Pass, through Aspen and into the woods to get ourselves ready for the early morning. The road in is actually the trail…it's conceivable to drive all of the way to 12,800' where the road ends. From there, your round trip hike distance would be 2 miles.  We camped at about 11,200' on a ledge overlooking a valley below.  It was a precarious spot, as it felt if we leaned too far over in the te...

Climbing Party:  Kit Dover, Amanda Harnden Elevation Gain:  3,062' Mileage:             6 miles round trip We had this hike in mind as a good training hike for Longs Peak the next weekend.  Dad was visiting from NH, and we wanted something that would give a good pump and some elevation. From Denver, take I-70 west and get off at exit 216.  At the end of the exit ramp, make a sharp right hand turn and drive down a dirt frontage road to the access gate to park. Continue past the gate along a dirt road that gently leads you away from the highway, and eventually turns into a trail.  Continue along the obvious trail in and out of small stands of trees until the trail disappears at the bottom of Dry Gulch.  Although there is no trail, once you leave the trees there are quite a few cairns that will help guide you up the first steep section (around mile 2).  Tis second mile will lead you out of the bottom of Dry Gulch. ...