Grizzly Peak
Independence Pass, CO
13,988ft
10/13/2011
As we drove away from Aspen, the freshly covered peaks of the first snows of the season shifted our focus to anticipation for the upcoming ski season. Far from the summer climbing and camping, the cold chill in the air as we rolled down the windows brought images of face shots and powder lines mixed with chute descents that send chills down your spine. We cant wait. As we began to climb independence pass, the views of fall overtake the horizon and the Aspens are aglow with the golden foliage that brings so many tourists to the area year after year. As we climb further up, one can not help but think about the recently held Tour of Colorado and how amazing it was to see men on flimsy road bikes built for weight in climbing, not descending, traveling at mind blowing speeds down tight and uneven roads. Slowly the road tightens and turns toward the actual pass, itself an amazing achievement in engineering. About half way up the pass on the Aspen side we take a sharp right and headed down Lincoln Creek road. This dirt road just keeps meandering its way east into areas that are shut off for most of the year to only snowmobiles and dreamers of winter accents of the many 14ers here in Colorado. Before the pass is closed and then reopened in the late spring this area is rarely seen let alone skied. Time to take advantage of the conditions and late season warm temps as much as possible. This being just a reconnaissance mission our eyes are only on viewing the routes and checking to see snow depth in the area and the possibility of skiing it on a later date but before they close Independence Pass.
The hike began from the reservoir in temperatures that felt very much like late fall and the smell of the evergreens immediately overtook the rest of my senses. All at once the back and forth of speech is replaced with the heavy breathing of labored effort as we pass into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. "The first mile is always the hardest..." keeps repeating in my head and onward we push until you find the zone that runners and climbers all secretly love. It was just at the moment when my pace had established itself that i remembered how far away from help we were and also how deep into bear country we were! My breath quickened and I very quickly became very much aware of my surroundings. Looking for any movement on the horizon and along the banks of the river that slowly made its way down the center of the vast valley from Grizzly Lake. The very name of the peak only heightens my sense of awareness at the possible danger of bears that are foraging for as much food as possible before hibernating for the winter. With no signs of immediate danger we push forward, cautiously.
 |
| Bear print in the snow reminding us of where we are... |
It was about the hour and a half mark when we began to hit the high country still full of snow delicately covering the trail. As we progress the snow becomes deeper and deeper until it is a steady shin depth. This would not be a problem in the proper gear but as most of my equipment is not even in the same state we have to make due with sneakers and very light apparel. Hiking in a t-shirt is a welcome breath after the covered shaded areas of the first half of the climb and the sun remains warm enough to sustain us forward. The surprising part is how efficient i feel. Apparently all of that off-season training and backpacking has paid off in spades! We take a moment to appreciate the amazing beauty of Colorado above tree line while slowly scanning the upper ridges for mountain cats and goats that make us look like pure amateurs in this world of theirs. The afternoon chill has begun to set in and lacking proper gear we make a decision to press forward to the lake and the base of the ski descent that taunts us so brazenly up above.
 |
| Turning the corner toward Grizzly Lake |
The snow depths are now beginning to become a legitimate hazard along with the sun and time fading away. Hitting the ridge line and looking across at the summer hiking trail, one wonders who would ever traverse under the cornices and rock chutes that define the east facing side of the canyon. My feet by this point are relying strictly on my progression to stay warm and stopping for any instant quickly reminds me of this inescapable truth. As the ski descent comes into view and the ridge flattens we see our simple objective of Grizzly Lake. It is too pristine for words and presents an oddly cold and isolated sense of accomplishment, as many are in the world of snow accents.
 |
| Slowly but surely making it up and over the ridge line to Grizzly lake. Notice the complete lack of proper gear... |
 | |||
| Ross with Grizzly Lake in the background. Above it lies the ski line to the left of the fading sun |
 |
| Ross with proper gear and an axe. |
The sun almost at the breaking point of disappearing behind the north summit, we take just a brief moment at the lake to survey the ski descent off of the north-west facing ridgeline. What we see is exciting and in that moment, we both know that the peak has to be climbed and skied as soon as possible. With excitement and a healthy respect of the dangers involved with being stuck the high Colorado backcountry we turn and begin our descent back down to the jeep. It has been a good day and very shortly this mission will allow us an efficient and glorious day of backcountry skiing in the upcoming ski season.
 |
| Until the next time... |
