The Citadel  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  13,294' Lat, Long:  39.7153, -105.9114 Map Page Views:  307. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Nathaniel K on Jan 5, 2013 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 64° | 36° 63° | 36° 64° | 34° 66° | 34° 64° | 34°

The Citadel (Clear Creek, Grand, CO).

Description 

The Citadel is a ranked 13'er located on the Continental Divide, north of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The peak has twin summits and is not officially named. The Citadel is close to to I-70, and typically accessed via the Herman Gulch trailhead, so the first bit of the approach can be somewhat crowded on the trail. However, once you reach the end of the trail and bushwhack towards the base of the mountain, the traffic diasappears and you have a lot of solitude.

Obtaining the summit will entail 3rd and 4th class climbing at the easiest. The elevation difference between the two summits is negligible. Most who summit the Citadel bag both peaks, and it's common to make the traverse to Pettingel for a challenging ridge scramble. While the standard route to the summits is class 3, the Citadel also offers the potential for technical, as well as snow climbing routes. Avalanche potential on the approach is high in the winter.

Getting There 

Herman Gulch is the most common approach. The trailhead is at the parking area just off of exit 218 on I-70. The Herman Gulch Trail takes you up the valley to the upper reaches of the gulch and timberline, before you navigate off trail towards the Citadel. This is not a designated wilderness area and is quite popular among more casual hikers.
A second approach is from Dry Gulch which is located to the south of the Citadel. Accessed further to the west along I-70 and is less travelled than Herman Gulch.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Citadel

East Ridge - The Citadel (Clear Creek, CO) 4th  CO : Alpine Rock : The Citadel

After reaching Herman Lake, head WSW and follow the trail until it disappears near Herman Lake's outlet stream. Contour along the slopes and marshy areas towads the saddle which sits to the east of the Citadel.After gaining this saddle at 12,400 feet, hike up the Citadel's east ridge. Once below the east summit block, the standard route traverses the cliffs to the WNW taking you to a steep, loose, class 3 gully which provides access to a saddle between the Citadel's two summits. From here, you c...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of The Citadel Slideshow

Add Photo

View of the Citadel from the south. The ridge conn...	Citadel...there is usually rap rings and webbing u...	From about halfway up the Citadel in winter lookin...
Citadel in winter as seen from Herman Gulch.	Some pretty good lines can be found year round her...