Redcloud Peak – 14,034 ft
Sunshine Peak – 14,001 ft
 

Date:  6-23-07

Climbers: George & Abby Barnes

Route: via Silver Creek Trailhead

RT distance: 11.4 miles

Elevation gain: 4,700 feet

Trip Report:

Preparation for the “San Juan Scurry” started with a hurried trip to Gander Mountain Thursday night for a bottle of coyote urine. The closest thing we could get to coyote urine was red fox urine so we hoped that would keep the rodents away and carefully packaged it so we didn’t smell it during the whole trip.

Heading to camp

We arrived at the Silver Creek TH Friday evening. After changing into hiking clothes, George surrounded the Jeep with fox urine, and we made sure we had all items needed for an overnight camp then started up the trail. I was trying not to overdo it tonight so I would be able to hike the many miles on Saturday and Sunday. George promised we would stop at 1930-1945 so we would have time to set up the tent, filter H2O, and eat. Well 1945 arrived and passed while hiking among lots of rocks, no trees to hang stuff from, and sloping ground. So grumbling slightly at George’s “hiking trail amnesia” (his brain totally blocks out the bad parts of a 14er hiking trail as soon as he successfully climbs it) we continued on until about 2015 when finally a flatish rock-free area appeared. We quickly set up the tent and filtered water as the sun finished setting. Our gourmet Mountain House dinner was capped off with the yummy Raspberry Crumble for dessert.
 

Sunset from 12K camp

Sleep was elusive in the tent for both of us. George was chilly in his 32 degree down bag and grumbling a bit at giving me the 0 degree down bag. While I was warm, my arms kept going numb from sleeping on them in the small confines of the tent and I had to reposition constantly.

Morning came all too soon and chilly. George emerged from the tent first to make warm a.m. beverages in order to get me out of the tent. We broke down camp before we left to prevent marmots from making a meal out of our tent and sleeping bags. I started up the trail at around 0640 while George headed for the closest tall tree to hang his big pack with our overnight gear. He left a circle of fox pee around the tree to keep the marmots at bay.
 

Heading up Redcloud

The hike up was pleasant. The trail is easy to follow and gentle in its elevation gain. We encountered ice and snow fairly early on and had to leave the trail a few times to avoid traversing icy snow. We stopped on the saddle at 13,020 for a snack and sunscreen. The weather was gorgeous!! Heading on up the trail brought some unpleasant soft scree climbing. I love hiking when I take one step forward and my foot slides two steps back!!

I was more or less worn out by the time we summited Redcloud and I was fine with going back down, knowing I had a long hike out to the Jeep ahead of me. George on the other hand was determined to get me over to Sunshine Peak first.

On Redcloud Peak

Wetterhorn, Matterhorn, Uncompahgre

After much persuasion I grudgingly started moving DOWN the trail toward Sunshine. Luckily the weather was looking great so George was ok with me taking my sweet time to summit Sunshine. We briefly took a couple of pictures and signed the register. Then once again I headed DOWN the trail back towards Redcloud. For the first time all day we encountered people on the summit of Redcloud when we got back.

On Sunshine Peak

Sneffels Group.  Eolus Group to Grenadiers.

I was not in the mood to spend any more time on Redcloud and we both wanted to get ahead of the group currently there so we boogied on down to the saddle slipping and sliding on the scree as we went. By this time I was finally feeling good for the first time today and the hike back down to where we camped wasn’t half bad. We got in a small sluggish glissade that broke up the hiking a bit. I had to shoulder the pack with the contents of both our day hiking stuff while George went to retrieve our camping gear. It was while hiking with all the extra weight that my knees and feet decided they were finally feeling the miles of the day. I was very happy to unload the majority of my stuff into George’s big pack when we stopped to filter water. What a very fabulous husband I have to carry out 90% of our gear to make it easier for me to hike out!! We stopped for a lengthy break once we got to the trees to rehydrate and refuel. The afternoon sun was baking us on the rocks and it was nice to lay down on the thermarests in the cool shade for a bit.

We were both more than a little thrilled when the Jeep finally came into view. We quickly changed into Chaco sandals and non-hiking clothes. Our plan was to head for shade and then eventually the American Basin TH to get ready for our hike up Handies on Sunday. Not far up the road from the Silver Creek TH the low fuel light comes on and we watch the fuel gauge go from full to empty before our eyes. With a few unhappy words out of our mouths we got out to check the ground for the contents of our gas tank. Luckily we don’t see or smell any gas or see anything leaking from beneath the Liberty. Without wasting any time, we decide we better get off the 4WD road fast. Thankfully we made it to Lake City without anymore warning lights coming on and stopped at a gas station to check fluids. Everything looked good fluid wise but we decide not to waste anytime and wearily pointed the Liberty in the direction of Denver. Unfortunately, we still have to go back to get Handies and Uncompahgre so we’ll be stocking up on chicken wire and a small animal hunting license for that trip. We did a “San Juan Scurry” this weekend just not the one we had planned on.
 

--Abby

Post-trip report (George):

Back home, Nate was kind enough to help me jack my Jeep up so I could crawl around and inspect the damage.  It turns out the only real casualty of the trip was a single chewed through wire near my gas tank, though everything from heat shielding to brake lines had been gnawed on a little bit.  After a bit of soldering I zip tied on a few layers of wire loom to any hose/wire that looked exposed and tasty.

The results of parking at the Silver Creek TH.

Fixing wires under Molly's supervision

Finished