Apache & Navajo
with Arikaree & Kiowa
Date: 07/26/2022
Partners:
-Kristi Henes (all but Arikaree)
-Tom "Ironman" Stark (Apache & Navajo)
-Solo(Arikaree)
Trailhead: Long Lake
Summits: Shoshone, Apache, Navajo, Arikaree, Kiowa
Distance: 14.8miles
Elevation Gain: 5600ft
Duration: 12hrs
This improptu day started with the plan to hike Navajo and possibly Apache. However upon reaching Isabell Lake we descided to climb Shoshoni and traverse to Apache... just below the towers of the Kasparov Traverse. We also agreed that from Apache we would continue to Navajo then close the loop over Niwot Ridge.
We met Tom at the beginning of Kasparov and had fun picking our way across the traverse and over to Navajo.
What we didn't know when formulating the plan was that once we reached Navajo we could practically touch Front Range bad boys Arikaree and Kiowa.
Soooo... from Navajo Kristi headed for Kiowa, I headed for Arikaree and Tom continued over Niwot as planned.
After summitting Arikaree, Kristi and I climbed Kiowa, desended Kiowa's north face then closed the loop over Niwot Ridge back to the TH.
Turns out Arikaree and Kiowa are on Boulder private property. We didn't see any signs, postings or fences until we were back on public land. Well... we know better now.
Apache 14ers.com Page
Navajo 14ers.com Page
Arikaree 14ers.com Page
Kiowa 14ers.com Page
14.8m - 5600ft - 12hrs
L2R from Lake Isabelle: Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni
Lake Isabelle sunrise
Navajo above the falls
Shortly after passing Lake Isabelle we made the decision to climb Shoshoni and traverse to Apache
Ascending from Lake Isabelle to the Pawnee Pass Trail
L2R from Shoshoni: Navajo, Dickers Peck(tiny), Apache
The Kasparov TraverseL Shoshoni to Apache: Queen's Way Couloir drops into Isabelle Glacier off of Apache
It wasn't long before we dropped off of the ridge to the ledges below
Alex tests an exposed ledge... it was a no go
We opted for this exposed and spicy down climb
Tom re-ascended from the spicy down climb and found a chimney option. We met up with him again shortly after.
Most of the traverse was on blocky ledges
The Rook, The King's Pawn and The King
The Spider Woman
The Rook and The Bishop's Scepter
The Rook
Traversing below Apache with ski turns on Isabelle Glacier below
The final ridge to Apache's summit
Heading to Navajo from Apache
Fun along the way
There was some class 3 scrambling on Navajo
Bad Boys Kiowa(L) and Arikaree(R). Wasn't planning on these but they were too close to leave behind
Pearls of wisdom on Arikaree's summit
Looking back to Navajo and Green Lake from Kiowa's north face
Kiowa's north face is a tricky descent with route finding, slick slabs and some exposure.
Kiowa's north face
Guess who's in the willows below Arikaree?
Shoshoni, Kasparov and Apache from Niwot Ridge
PANO L2R: Kiowa, Arikaree, Niwot Ridge(Navajo behind), Apache, Kasparov, Shoshoni
Cloud play and cool light on Kasparov
Niwot Ridge never ends