Last Friday, Aaron, Bill and I ran in for a 1 day ascent of Vestal Peak’s Wham Ridge. Without the aid of the train, this is accomplished by accessing the Colorado Trail on top of Molas Pass, and descending to the Animas River for about 3.5 miles and 2000 vertical feet. Then it’s 5.5 miles and 5000 vertical feet to the summit of Vestal Peak (13,894′). Great views of Jagged Mountain, Pigeon Peak, and Chicago Basin from the summit of this centennial 13’er.
In total it’s about 20 miles round trip, and it took us exactly 13 hours and 30 minutes to complete the day. Carrying light certainly helps to make this possible, but I have to say I enjoy camping up in the basin and doing this as an overnight trip. Check out out our 3 Day Wham Ridge Climbs, or Vestal and Arrow Peak Trips. Tis the season in the Grenadiers, the setting and the climbing is about the best the San Juans have to offer.
ND
Morning sun on the Wham Ridge
Aaron and Bill high on the Wham
On the summit of Vestal Peak (13,894')
View of Arrow and Vestal from the Beaver Ponds
