PT13408 & PT13026

Date: 06/11/2023
Partner: Solo
Trailhead: Eddiesville TH
Summits: PT13026 & PT13408
Distance: 15.3m
Elevation Gain: 5300ft
Duration: 8hrs
GPX

While hiking the Colorado Trail that morning, I was planning on approaching and deproaching these peaks via Canon Diablo. However when I reached Canon Diablo junction it looked kinda bushwhacky and I opted to continue up the CT to PT13026's northern slopes. It worked out great! I found a good spot to cross the creek (knee deep) and made my way up PT13026.

About 400ft below the summit, I about stepped on a baby deer who was laying all alone in the rocks. It scared me to death and I let out a scream. The deer jumped to it's feet and ran off letting out screams of its own. The poor little guy was all alone with no family. I hadn't seen a deer all morning and I wasn't sure if he was 100% healthy. I felt bad for scaring him and wasn't sure how long he would survive without his family. I continued to the summit.

After summiting PT13026 I decended southeast and climbed PT13408's northern slope. The hike up PT13408 was steep and led me to call the second audible of the day. Instead of decending the steep slope into Canon Diablo and potential swampy bushwhack back to the CT, I took the gentle northeast plateau back to the Machin Basin Trail and connected to the CT there. This route also worked out great.

There are two knee deep creek crossings on this route... I crossed barefoot without issue.

PT13026 14ers.com Page
PT13408 14ers.com Page