Vacation in Crested Butte this year included climbing Mt. Huron with friends. Some of us had climbed Mt. Belford three years ago and wanted to climb another one in the area. Also, the women in the group had attempted Mt. Huron last year and had failed. We were all there to reach the top this year.
Finding the trailhead was iffy and required a 4W Drive Jeep. (Thanks, Jeff) Some other climbers helped us to the starting point, and we were off.
The initial switchbacks and first 3/4 of the trail was an easy walk up through beautiful forest and open slopes. The last quarter mile is another story. We had been told Mt. Huron was an easy climb, "no problem," they said. However, the trails near the top were loose rock and sand, which caused you to slide both going up and climbing down. This section is the Class 2 Moderate part of the mountain trail. I prefer the ascent because of better footing, and this trail only confirmed my preference.
The summit was terrific and the view spectacular. Everyone in our group made it up safely, and we took some time to rest and enjoy the panoramic view from the top. No, I did not eat a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch at the summit. That's the reverse of the sign in our group pic.
Finding the trailhead was iffy and required a 4W Drive Jeep. (Thanks, Jeff) Some other climbers helped us to the starting point, and we were off.
The summit was terrific and the view spectacular. Everyone in our group made it up safely, and we took some time to rest and enjoy the panoramic view from the top. No, I did not eat a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch at the summit. That's the reverse of the sign in our group pic.
Going down the first quarter mile was everything we feared it would be. Slippery trails and loose rock. Yet, after carefully finding our footing through the rock field and returning to flatter trails, we made our way back to the trailhead.
Rain settled in toward the end of the hike, and we returned wet, tired, and ready for a hot meal. We broke camp down the road on 390 where we had camped the night before, and headed back to Crested Butte for pizza at Secret Stash Pizza.
I recommend this trail and 14er. It is very doable, but if you are nervous about loose rock and slippery trails, this is not for you.
