Shelf Cirque  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  11,500' Lat, Long:  40.2733, -105.6481 Map Page Views:  2,831. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Bill Duncan on Apr 15, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

View of the upper Shelf Cirque at sunrise. McHenr...

Description 

The stunning Shelf Cirque is formed by 4 mountains and their connecting ridges. Clockwise they are: Arrowhead, McHenry's Peak, Powell Peak, and Thatchtop. Within the cirque lie Solitude Lake and Shelf Lake (and a bunch of ravenous marmots). You must pass through Shelf Cirque to reach McHenrys Notch Couloir, Hourglass Couloir, and is also the easiest approach to NE Ridge or Arrowhead Arete of McHenry's Peak.

Getting There 

Approach as for Black Lake, but approximately 1 mile after Mills Lake, look for a small meadow with a faint trail heading west. There may be a sign here now. Cross the creek and follow the faint trail straight up the hill to Shelf Lake.

The Classics

Featured Route For Shelf Cirque

Shelf Cirque Traverse Easy 5th  CO : Alpine Rock : ... : Shelf Cirque

This has 4 summits, excellent exposure, tremendous views, and some climbing. Start at Solitude Lake. Climb Arrowhead. Traverse west on the McHenry's-Arrowhead ridge, and then climb the NE Ridge of McHenry's. Descend from the summit to the NW, then off the west side of the ridge to the upper reaches of the gully behind McHenry's Notch. 1 rap gets you into the gully. Climb Mt. Powell. Descend to the NW until you can drop on to the NE ridge that leads to Thatchtop. This ridge i...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO