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Eldo West Ridge Access?

Original Post
Tom Fralich · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 0

Any recent beta? Is it still necessary to scramble up before the "slippery boulder" and then downclimb?

Mathias · · Loveland, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 306

Haven't been to the West Ridge in a month or so but given the recent rain, I'd think you'd have to use the ramp, or come in via the trail by Rincon.

I think I remember being told you can top out on the West Ridge and rap down some stuff on the east side, and vice versa, though you'd have to check where and which routes.

Edited to say: That actually may not be true. Though last time I went we bypassed the ramp and hit some 4th class above it to get on Morning Thunder, then rapped down with the rope around a dead tree (so no sap on the rope). I'm not a fan of the slick ramp at all with a pack on.

Nodin deSaillan · · Boulder · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 80

you can rock-hop across at the upper parking lot

Rick Vermeil · · Erie, CO · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 284

I went up to the West Ridge via the polished ramp on Saturday morning after looking at the crossing by the Milton boulder. I was willing to jump it with a pack on up to a couple weeks ago but even then it was a little sketchy.

Mike McHugh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 420

It may be helpful to check the South Boulder Creek water gauge:

dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWate…

I'd hoped to rebuild the connector from the streamside boulder to the base of the West Ridge trail last year/this spring. (The picnic area and rattlesnake gulch kinda clobbered my best laid plans). If that water level stays reasonable, I could get after it next week, otherwise, it won't get fixed until the water comes back down.

Will update.

Andy Hansen · · Longmont, CO · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 3,130

Slippery ramp time of the year. Or, up to Rincon and down from there. Go the extra 15 minutes and earn those pitches.

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,705

Last weekend the crossing at Milton was a no-go and the water is higher since then.
Frankly, I always thought of WR as a winter destination since it is warm, sheltered, and short. Now is the time of year for Redgarden or for going into more distant/higher altitude/more exposed places.

Summer is for Peanuts Wall, as it gets the most shade.

Mike McHugh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 420

I just spent some time looking at lines for moving rock. SoBo creek is plain old narrower, deeper, and more menacing than it was pre-flood. I agree with Tony - that crossing seems sketchy.

Ed Krejcik · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 5
Mike McHugh wrote:It may be helpful to check the South Boulder Creek water gauge: dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWate… I'd hoped to rebuild the connector from the streamside boulder to the base of the West Ridge trail last year/this spring. (The picnic area and rattlesnake gulch kinda clobbered my best laid plans). If that water level stays reasonable, I could get after it next week, otherwise, it won't get fixed until the water comes back down. Will update.
Thanks for this link Mike! Now can you translate the data for me? At what discharge rate is it still safe to take the slippery ramp? Looking for a simple go/no go based on the rate of flow.
Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,705

The slippery ramp is never terrible (for a climber) in my experience - you might get wet, but not dead unless the water is higher than I've ever seen it, in which case it is probably storming anyway.
Unless I am mistaken, Mike and I were both just saying that a direct crossing from the Milton Boulder is what you would not want to attempt presently,and what might be best predicted by a flow gauge.
I'll happily stand corrected if I need to be.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Gauge showed 40 cfs today.
I wouldn't have done the Milton boulder hop across the creek.
The slippery ramp was fine, esp with approach shoes and passing the packs across at the end.

Hiro Protagonist · · Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 290

I waded across upstream of Milton's Rock 1.5 weeks ago, water below my knees. Does wading not count as crossable, I think it does...

Anyways, that was 1.5 weeks ago, today is today.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

The flow was about 24-28 cfs 10 days ago. 42 today.

Anyway, I'm not very good at rock hopping or fording, I tend to fall in which makes for a cold day.

Mike McHugh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 420

Hey Ed:

My reason for posting that link is just to save people time. This time of year, I see a lot of people park at Milton, spend 10-20 minutes evaluating (and smartly avoiding) the crossing, and then drive back down to the main lot. In my circumambulating, nonsensical way, I agree with Tony and Mark.

FYI: There might be some trail construction delays in that area Friday and Saturday. Will update.

Moritz B. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 185

I just went today and three days ago to the west ridge.
You can either go over the slippery big boulder, or hop over the rocks. Someone has actually installed two logs that make the crossing much easier. I would recommend to hike up to the milton boulder and then cross via the fixed logs. Enjoy

Mike McHugh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 420

On Thursday through Saturday of next week (5/7-5/9), we'll get lines up and move some rocks to make the low/slimy Streamside traverse a little more reasonable.

My plan is to set a number of big rocks in place to restore the trail that got wiped out in the 2013 flood. But while everything is set up, there's a chance to do some other work if the community would like it.

Here's the Streamside boulder, with work areas numbered left to right:

Potential streamside work.

Area 1 will be restored.

Area 2: While in the area, we could place one or two big rocks in that pocket to make the step down/back up a little easier.

Area 3: We could place a few big rocks next to the base of the streamside boulder for a hop/skip path over to the West Ridge.

Looking for input. I won't do anything to areas 2 or 3 unless there's pretty strong community support - something's telling me this could be contentious.

And looking for volunteers. Sign up here: eventbrite.com/e/streamside…

mountainhick · · Black Hawk, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 120
Mike McHugh wrote:On Thursday through Saturday of next week (5/7-5/9), we'll get lines up and move some rocks to make the low/slimy Streamside traverse a little more reasonable. My plan is to set a number of big rocks in place to restore the trail that got wiped out in the 2013 flood. But while everything is set up, there's a chance to do some other work if the community would like it. Here's the Streamside boulder, with work areas numbered left to right: Area 1 will be restored. Area 2: While in the area, we could place one or two big rocks in that pocket to make the step down/back up a little easier. Area 3: We could place a few big rocks next to the base of the streamside boulder for a hop/skip path over to the West Ridge. Looking for input. I won't do anything to areas 2 or 3 unless there's pretty strong community support - something's telling me this could be contentious. And looking for volunteers. Sign up here: eventbrite.com/e/streamside…
#2 and 3, no contention here. Just do it.
Drew Spaulding · · Boulder, CO · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 3,885
Mike McHugh wrote:Looking for input. I won't do anything to areas 2 or 3 unless there's pretty strong community support - something's telling me this could be contentious.
Hey Mike, sounds like a good idea... Please keep in mind Kayakers when placing these boulders. The eddy/beach just downstream of the "slippery/stream side boulder" is a crucial spot for those boaters that want to get out of the river above Harmon Falls! Try not to obstruct the entrance into that eddy.... Thanks for all you do!
Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265

Wouldn't it be easier and more fun to just dynamite that big boulder? I prefer convenience via ordinance over actual work. YMMV.

Mike McHugh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 420
Drew Spaulding wrote: Hey Mike, sounds like a good idea... Please keep in mind Kayakers when placing these boulders. The eddy/beach just downstream of the "slippery/stream side boulder" is a crucial spot for those boaters that want to get out of the river above Harmon Falls! Try not to obstruct the entrance into that eddy.... Thanks for all you do!
Roger that. I'm thinking that if we do place some skip/jump rocks around the base of the boulder, they won't even be very obvious from the end of the trail. Definitely nothing at the beach.
Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,705

Looks like a great project, so long at the boaters keep their access!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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