Carson Peak Loop
Date: 8/13/2020
Partner: Solo
Trailhead: Carson Pass (4WD)
Summits:
* Bent Peak
* Carson Peak
* Tundra Top
* Cataract Peak
* PT13580B
* PT13581
Distance: 13.5m
Elevation Gain: 4900ft
Duration: 7hrs 55min
Difficulty: Class2 (PT13581's summit block has a little class 3)
GPX
A big open low stress loop that makes you feel like you are way out west. This is a good one if you like long remote hikes.
Bent Peak 14ers.com Page
Carson Peak 14ers.com Page
Tundra Top 14ers.com Page
Cataract Peak 14ers.com Page
PT13580B 4ers.com Page
PT 13581 14ers.com Page
![Carson 01]()
13.5m - 4900ft - 7hrs 55min
![Carson 02]()
A cool old mining community just below Carson Pass
![Carson 03]()
I camped in my truck at the top of Carson Pass. Bent Peak in the light of the sunset
![Carson 04]()
Carson Peak(R) from the summit of Bent Peak
![Carson 05]()
Looking west to Half Peak
![Carson 06]()
The east cliffs of Quarter Peak(R). Cataract Peak(L)
![Carson 07]()
Getting closer to Carson
![Carson 08]()
There was a short section of easy scrambling below Carson's summit
![Carson 09]()
Looking north to Sunshine and Redcloud. Wetterhorn in the distance on the left
![Carson 10]()
Looking south across the basin to PT13581 which would be my last peak of the day. There is still a long way to go!
![Carson 11]()
Next stop Tundra Top(L) then Cataract(R)
![Carson 12]()
Approaching Tundra Top
![Carson 13]()
Looking back to Carson from Tundra Top
![Carson 14]()
Cataract Peak and the lumpy looking basin below
![Carson 15]()
From Tundra Top looking across the basin to the ridge I would traverse to PT13581 at the end of the day
![Carson 16]()
Quarter Peak
![Carson 17]()
Half(L) - Quarter(R)
![Carson 18]()
Looking back to Carson from the Tundra Top - Cataract saddle
![Carson 19]()
The fine gravel that makes up Cataract's south face looked like a bitch to climb... but it wasn't too bad. It was a dream to surf down!
![Carson 20]()
Sunshine from Cataract. Uncompahgre in the distance on the left
![Carson 21]()
Quarter
![Carson 22]()
Looking SW across Cataract Lake to the Wimenuche
![Carson 23]()
![Carson 24]()
Carson from Cataract
![Carson 25]()
Tundra Top through Cataract's goal posts. 13580B(my next stop) in the distance to the right of the left post. Pole Creek Peaks center and left over Tundra Top
![Carson 26]()
After a fun surf down Cataract it is time to re-climb Tundra
![Carson 27]()
Half Peak
![Carson 28]()
From Tundra I dropped into the basin then climbed to the bump on the right PT1380B
![Carson 29]()
On PT13850B I took a nap and forgot to take summit pictures. The next stop is PT13581 which is the nipple on the right
![Carson 30]()
PT13581 and some cool hoodoos.
![Carson 31]()
I tried to stay on the ridge but was forced to contour on the right at times
![Carson 32]()
When I got to the hoodoos I was forced to contour on the left side of the ridge
![Carson 33]()
![Carson 34]()
I generally followed the path at 10'oclock
![Carson 35]()
PT13581's summit had a little class 3
![Carson 36]()
The view back west from where I had come
![Carson 37]()
Looking back to PT13581 while descending its NE ridge to the basin
![Carson 38]()
PT13581 from the basin. After descending the NE ridge I was able to find a relatively painless line through the willows
![Carson 39]()
after crossing the willows I picked up the Colorado Trail which led me back to Carson Pass and my truck
