Long approaches on the Front Range?

I need to get in great hiking shape, but hiking is boring... I'm looking for routes/crags/scrambles 3rd class to 5.8, round trip 7 - 15 miles or so, no avy danger(!). Rock is preferred but snow and ice is fine (no avy danger!). I know snow conditions will stabilize in the higher mountains fairly soon, but I need to be hiking now. Ideally within an hour's drive from Fort Collins. Thanks!

Not sure what the mileage is, but the approach to the Monastery was pretty brutal, especially carrying gear.

mountainproject.com/v/the-m…

Yipslon (Y couloirs) in the park has a pretty long approach. So does MT. Alice (Hourglass ridge). Also Chasm lake is about 4 each way, so from there the options are almost limitless. There is obviously still a ton of snow up in these areas so not sure if this helps...

The flatirons have options. Fern canyon to bear peak (scramble the slab if so inclined), shadow canyon to the boulder peaks, etc. Not high elevation but they pack a lot of elevation gain for the distance/accessibility.

AJ-Johnson wrote:Not sure what the mileage is, but the approach to the Monastery was pretty brutal, especially carrying gear. mountainproject.com/v/the-m…

is the monastery in season right now?

dsauerbrun wrote: is the monastery in season right now?

Oops, you're right, might not be able to get up there right now.

Mt. Neva of the Indian Peaks past Nederland and Eldora. 4th of July trailhead. Excellent scramble up 4th class/easy 5th class ridge to summit, then descent through high alpine terrain to the south. For added bonus hike all the way back down the valley without angling up left to regain the approach trail (4th of July/Arapaho Pass trail). I've done it and if you can tolerate some unavoidable boggy terrain it is a fun and beautiful navigational challenge, but probably only feasible in July - September. It's in the Colorado Scrambles book.

Greyrock is nice right now. Lots of ways to get up that, from the class 2 hiking trail to technical routes of 4 or 5 pitches.

South tooth of Horsetooth is a fun easy scramble. The other day I hiked to the falls then took wathen up towards horsetooth rock and returned via Audra Culver trail. That is around 7 miles round trip and would be easy to do after work.

I think the approach to the Monastery is around 1.5 miles one way

You can do some really fun link-ups in the flatirons that get you a lot of trail mileage with super fun scrambling. Perfect this time of year.

You want something up Poudre Canyon with about a 2 mile approach on a hiking trail and undocumented vertical wall of good single pitch height?

Crescent Ridge (~15 miles round trip, 4 pitches of 5.6 terrain on your way to the summit) on Mt. Pagoda would also fit the bill. It will probably be full value right now - you'll want to be solid all around alpine climber to attempt it this early. You'll want light alpine boots and strap-on crampons. And you'll likely need a light ice axe to do the descent down the snow fields. Avy danger should be low-ish, but as always, evaluate the slope and the snow yourself.

Gruff wrote:You can do some really fun link-ups in the flatirons that get you a lot of trail mileage with super fun scrambling. Perfect this time of year.

This. Flatiron scramble/solo link-ups are a blast. Or go with a partner and a light rope/rack if that is your preference. In any case, climb as many of those slabs in a day as you want/can. No better way to combine aerobic fitness building with fun easy climbing.

+1 for Greyrock. I don't remember the exact mileage but it felt pretty far and the climbing was pretty sweet.

The maiden is really pretty, sweet climb (5.6-5.8), with uphill hike.

Depending on the snow- there is a sweet line( 5.6) in the north face of mount toll in Indian peaks. If the road is closed you'll get to walk more.

The third class line on Mount Meeker is really stellar- again snow dependent.

Gruff wrote:You can do some really fun link-ups in the flatirons that get you a lot of trail mileage with super fun scrambling. Perfect this time of year.

You'd have to substitute or skip some with the raptor closures, but take a look at Gerry Roach's Top 10 Classics (it's also in Jason Haas' guide).

The E Ridge of Bancroft (probably a longer drive) is an all season scramble, short 5.2 notch but mostly 3rd. It's in CO Scrambles.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll check some of these out. More are welcome.

Mathias: yes.

Toby Burgess wrote:Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll check some of these out. More are welcome. Mathias: yes.

PM sent.

Lumpy ridge is your ticket. The book approach is about 2.5 miles each way, but another 2 miles to sundance buttress. Go out to sundance, and see how many routes you can do in a day. If you can do 3-4(kors flake, mainliner, grapevine, sidetrack) you will be on your training path to the diamond.... Fyi the altitude at the base of sundance is over 9k.

There are many formations here that you can link in the 5.7 -5.8 range. Bring a light pack with food, water . Leave gear on your harness, and start running like Forrest.

Try (First of June) the Jungle, mountainproject.com/v/jungl…, the trail from the "Lower Jungle" to "Pangea" will test your resolve. But for now, how about Hackbery Canyon (about 21 miles) with great climbing views, mountainproject.com/v/hackb….

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/north-face/105752470