Eldo West Ridge Access?
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Any recent beta? Is it still necessary to scramble up before the "slippery boulder" and then downclimb? |
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Haven't been to the West Ridge in a month or so but given the recent rain, I'd think you'd have to use the ramp, or come in via the trail by Rincon. |
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you can rock-hop across at the upper parking lot |
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I went up to the West Ridge via the polished ramp on Saturday morning after looking at the crossing by the Milton boulder. I was willing to jump it with a pack on up to a couple weeks ago but even then it was a little sketchy. |
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It may be helpful to check the South Boulder Creek water gauge: |
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Slippery ramp time of the year. Or, up to Rincon and down from there. Go the extra 15 minutes and earn those pitches. |
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Last weekend the crossing at Milton was a no-go and the water is higher since then. |
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I just spent some time looking at lines for moving rock. SoBo creek is plain old narrower, deeper, and more menacing than it was pre-flood. I agree with Tony - that crossing seems sketchy. |
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Mike McHugh wrote:It may be helpful to check the South Boulder Creek water gauge: dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWate… I'd hoped to rebuild the connector from the streamside boulder to the base of the West Ridge trail last year/this spring. (The picnic area and rattlesnake gulch kinda clobbered my best laid plans). If that water level stays reasonable, I could get after it next week, otherwise, it won't get fixed until the water comes back down. Will update.Thanks for this link Mike! Now can you translate the data for me? At what discharge rate is it still safe to take the slippery ramp? Looking for a simple go/no go based on the rate of flow. |
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The slippery ramp is never terrible (for a climber) in my experience - you might get wet, but not dead unless the water is higher than I've ever seen it, in which case it is probably storming anyway. |
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Gauge showed 40 cfs today. |
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I waded across upstream of Milton's Rock 1.5 weeks ago, water below my knees. Does wading not count as crossable, I think it does... |
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The flow was about 24-28 cfs 10 days ago. 42 today. |
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Hey Ed: |
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I just went today and three days ago to the west ridge. |
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On Thursday through Saturday of next week (5/7-5/9), we'll get lines up and move some rocks to make the low/slimy Streamside traverse a little more reasonable. |
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Mike McHugh wrote:On Thursday through Saturday of next week (5/7-5/9), we'll get lines up and move some rocks to make the low/slimy Streamside traverse a little more reasonable. My plan is to set a number of big rocks in place to restore the trail that got wiped out in the 2013 flood. But while everything is set up, there's a chance to do some other work if the community would like it. Here's the Streamside boulder, with work areas numbered left to right: Area 1 will be restored. Area 2: While in the area, we could place one or two big rocks in that pocket to make the step down/back up a little easier. Area 3: We could place a few big rocks next to the base of the streamside boulder for a hop/skip path over to the West Ridge. Looking for input. I won't do anything to areas 2 or 3 unless there's pretty strong community support - something's telling me this could be contentious. And looking for volunteers. Sign up here: eventbrite.com/e/streamside…#2 and 3, no contention here. Just do it. |
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Mike McHugh wrote:Looking for input. I won't do anything to areas 2 or 3 unless there's pretty strong community support - something's telling me this could be contentious.Hey Mike, sounds like a good idea... Please keep in mind Kayakers when placing these boulders. The eddy/beach just downstream of the "slippery/stream side boulder" is a crucial spot for those boaters that want to get out of the river above Harmon Falls! Try not to obstruct the entrance into that eddy.... Thanks for all you do! |
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Wouldn't it be easier and more fun to just dynamite that big boulder? I prefer convenience via ordinance over actual work. YMMV. |
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Drew Spaulding wrote: Hey Mike, sounds like a good idea... Please keep in mind Kayakers when placing these boulders. The eddy/beach just downstream of the "slippery/stream side boulder" is a crucial spot for those boaters that want to get out of the river above Harmon Falls! Try not to obstruct the entrance into that eddy.... Thanks for all you do!Roger that. I'm thinking that if we do place some skip/jump rocks around the base of the boulder, they won't even be very obvious from the end of the trail. Definitely nothing at the beach. |
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Looks like a great project, so long at the boaters keep their access! |