Mount Antero (14,269 feet)
Southern Sawatch Range, Colorado
6/4/2000
Author: Mark Schraad
I usually save the trip-report writing for bigger trips, club trips,
or for those every-so-often, truly exceptional mountaineering
experiences. With Jan's recent reminder "to all LAM members ...
that all are invited to submit trip reports", I thought that I would
try to make an effort to share more of my adventures with the
club---in the hope that they will serve as "a reference and
inspiration to all". Well, hopefully at least a reference.
Poor weather in Colorado in late April and near-apocalyptic forest
fires here in New Mexico in May thwarted my attempts and killed much
of my desire to get out of New Mexico for some climbing this spring.
With improving weather, only smoldering forests, and a ban on all
activities in the mountains of northern New Mexico, I decided it was
time to head to Colorado for an early summer shakedown.
I was looking for an easy hike, a little exercise, some nice scenery,
and I was hoping for some solitude. I drove up to the Arkansas
Valley Saturday afternoon, up the Chalk Creek Road, and then up three
very slow, rocky miles along the Baldwin Gulch Road (four-wheel
drive) to a junction and stream crossing at 10,850 feet on the
western flank of Mount Antero. There are many places to camp at this
point, and being one of only two parties in the area, I took my
choice of a nice spot on the west side of Baldwin Creek. This camp
was close to the road, but also right next to the creek, and it
offered unobstructed views of Mount Antero and North Carbonate
Mountain. I had a couple of hours of light, so I took a short walk
to investigate the route up Antero and the route that descends the
northeast ridge of North Carbonate, and also to find a stream
crossing for the next day. After my walk, I settled in to camp with
a book, but with darkening skies and heavy eyes I was soon asleep.
I awoke to the always-annoying sound of my alarm at 5:30 a.m., and to
temperatures just above freezing. With apparently little or no snow
with which to contend, crystal clear skies, a good weather forecast,
and a warm sleeping bag, however, I remained tucked in for another
thirty or forty minutes. Soon it was too light to sleep though, so I
pulled myself out of my sleeping bag, leisurely prepared and
vigorously devoured a hot breakfast, and hit the trail at 7:30.
Unfortunately, there isn't much to say about the climb. Mount Antero
has an old mining road that ascends to over 13,000 feet and the
standard route on this side of the mountain sticks to this road
(leaving the road rewards the climber with a steep slope covered with
heinous scree and talus). I simply began the climb by hiking up the
road and it appeared that I was the early bird. Soon, however,
several other individuals announced their presence to anyone within
several miles. As I made my way up Antero's western slopes, I was
soon accompanied by the exceedingly annoying sound of five ATVers
that were making their way up the road. I quickened my pace in an
attempt to get out of earshot. I was aided in this attempt to lose
the motorheads with the few locations along the road where you could
cut switchbacks by climbing on the small amount of snow that remained
in the gullies. I succeeded in losing the ATVers and the
accompanying noise, reaching a saddle at 13,089 feet on Antero's
south ridge at about 9:00. Once on the ridge, I climbed a short
talus slope, crossed Point 13,820, and continued north on one
remaining snow slope to the summit, reaching the top just before
10:00. The climb took much less time and effort then I had expected,
so I wasn't even hungry yet. Without the usual summit snack break,
and with the extremely calm and beautifully clear weather, I sat down
and enjoyed the views.
Mounts Shavano and Tabeguache dominated the view to the south, but I
could also see over Poncha Pass down into the San Luis Valley to the
rugged Sangre de Cristo Range. The now-familiar, from-a-distance
silhouette of the Crestones stood out on the southern horizon against
a mid-morning, light-blue sky. To the north stood many more familiar
shapes, Mounts Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Columbia and the rest of the
Sawatch gang, and to the east I could clearly see the towns of Salida
and Buena Vista, more than a mile below in the valley. The summit of
Antero also provided a good vantage point to survey potential routes
on North Carbonate, so I took a few notes on the east face snow
routes and the northeast ridge route for future reference. The Elks
appeared to have a better covering of snow than the Sawatch Range,
but I was surprised at the small amount of snow that remained and the
verdant colors that have sprung below timberline. Summer has
definitely arrived in the Colorado mountains.
After my survey of the surrounding peaks, I took a look at the summit
register. I was surprised to find that a couple from Minnesota had
actually hired a guide to take them up Antero on Friday. I was also
surprised to find that thirty-two individuals had signed the summit
register on Saturday---twelve from the state of Texas. As I sat
alone, in the solitude for which I had searched, I was glad that I
had chosen Sunday for my hike up Antero. I usually don't spend that
much time on the summits of the peaks that I climb, but I had a
strong desire to linger on the top of Mount Antero. I guess I was
simply enjoying the crisp, clear weather, and mountain views that
haven't been scorched and blackened by fire.
After an enjoyable and reflective rest on the summit I decided to
make a speedy descent, so I hiked quickly back down Antero's south
ridge. I met one hiker at the saddle and we greeted each other with
the customary climber's small talk. I continued down the mining road
and found one very thin but adequate snow gully that allowed me to
avoid all but the last switchback on the road. I met two more
hikers---ah, well drivers---that had blown a tire in their new Ford
Expedition at about 12,200 feet. They were actually grumbling about
having to climb from that point. So, seeing their shiny new futility
vehicle and their rather sharp Ralph Lauren climbing attire, and
still feeling somewhat fresh, I offered to piggyback them to the
summit for ten grand a piece---but they refused. I met a few more
hikers at and just below timberline, making their way on to the upper
slopes of Antero just as the ever-present afternoon thunder clouds
were beginning to build. And then I was back at the truck, just
before noon.
I made a quick change of clothes, jumped in the truck, and began the
slow descent back down the Baldwin Gulch Road. I stopped for a
greasy burger and my standard post-peak-bag chocolate malt at the
truck stop in Poncha Springs and was soon on my way back home.
While my hike up Mount Antero was far from the most challenging or
interesting climb, I did get what I was looking for---an easy hike, a
little exercise, some nice scenery, and luckily even a little
solitude (I even got a good laugh from those guys in the Expedition).
If anyone out there is looking for an easy fourteener, this has got
to be one of the least difficult routes. With an obvious, walk-up
route, and only 3,400 feet of elevation gain (more if you don't have
four-wheel drive or less if you do and want to drive higher), this is
also a good choice for first-time climbers.
