Apache Peak  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  13,441' Lat, Long:  40.0583, -105.651 Map Page Views:  35,318. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Mark Oveson on Sep 1, 2005 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 54° | 39° 57° | 37° 70° | 41° 72° | 43° 70° | 43°

Apache Peak, late March 2006

Routes Queen's Way, ...

Description 

Apache Peak lives on the Continental Divide at the head of a high basin west of Brainard Lake. At 13,441', Apache Peak is the highest peak in the Brainard Lake area and the second highest in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Apache's west slopes form a significant portion of the Lone Eagle Cirque west of the Divide. Apache Peak connects to Navajo Peak by a 3/4 mile-long southeast ridge commonly traversed by climbers heading for Dicker's Peck (described as a climb on Navajo Peak). From time to time Apache is reached from Lone Eagle Peak by the remote and challenging Mohling Traverse (see Lone Eagle Peak for a description). The sweeping north ridge of Apache connects with Shoshoni Peak and is graced by several towers known as the Chessmen. Travelling the mile-long ridge from Shoshoni to Apache and climbing the Chessmen in the process is called the Kasparov Traverse.

Apache is also home to wonderful snow climbs, including the classic Queen's Way, the short but sweet Apache Couloir, and remote Fair Glacier.

Getting There 

Approach most routes from the East by hiking from Brainard Lake into the high basin between Navajo Peak and Shoshoni Peak. The Kasparov Traverse and the Chessmen are approached from Pawnee Pass. Fair Glacier can be reached from Monarch Lake on the west or from Pawnee Pass via the Crater Lake Trail.

The Classics

Featured Route For Apache Peak

Kasparov Traverse R  CO : Alpine Rock : ... : Apache Peak

The ridge between Shoshoni Peak and Apache Peak is one of the best ridge traverses in the Indian Peaks. The rock is solid, the ridge provides plenty of scrambling and routefinding challenges, and the setting is superb. Best of all, the ridge is dotted with tower formations that beg to be climbed. Gerry Roach refers to these towers as the Chessmen, but in his guidebook he says he knows of no recorded climbs on them. The Chessmen have dwelt in obscurity for years. For better or worse, the Che...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO