Dunsinane Mountain
Date: 6-29-25
Partner: Kristi Henes
Trailhead: Courthouse TH
Distance: 3.8m
Elevation Gain: 2430ft
Duration: 5.25hrs (casual pace : 30 minutes on summit)
Class 4
GPX
A nice little hike (albeit tedious in spots) to an incredible summit in one of my favorite zones
I recommend ascending AND descending our ascent route (southern track). Significantly less whacking of the bush and deadfall.
![Dunsinane 01]()
3.8m - 2430ft - 5.25hrs
![Dunsinane 02]()
After crossing the West Fork of the Cimarron River we made our way across the field to Dunsinane's steep wooded slopes
![Dunsinane 03]()
We headed up the steep wooded slopes towards the goal posts left of the summit block
![Dunsinane 04]()
Below treeline there was some mild to moderate bushwhacking... but nothing too bad
![Dunsinane 05]()
Courthouse and Chimney Rock come into view
![Dunsinane 06]()
Continuing towards the goal posts we crossed a few small snow filled gullies
![Dunsinane 07]()
With no axes or traction a few of the gullies felt sporty
![Dunsinane 08]()
Some wildflowers in the rough terrain
![Dunsinane 09]()
As we approached the goal posts there was a little 2+ scrambling on loose terrain
![Dunsinane 10]()
We did our best to protect each other from rock fall
![Dunsinane 11]()
It felt a lot like an amphitheater
![Dunsinane 12]()
Towering hoodoos adding to the drama of the scene
![Dunsinane 13]()
At the top of the amphitheater there was some class 3/4 scrambling. We climbed one at a time to protect from rock fall
![Dunsinane 14]()
Pretty amazing place to spend some time
![Dunsinane 15]()
After a couple of pitches of scrambling we reached the northern face of the summit block
![Dunsinane 16]()
From the northern face of the summit block we contoured right to the western side of the mountain
![Dunsinane 17]()
One last bit a scrambling before reaching the summit
![Dunsinane 18]()
![Dunsinane 19]()
What a spot! Awesome views of Precipice's north face
![Dunsinane 20]()
Precipice's north face
![Dunsinane 21]()
Excited to be here!
![Dunsinane 22]()
We poked around the various areas of Dunsinane's unique summit
![Dunsinane 23]()
Courthouse and Chimney Rock to the west
![Dunsinane 24]()
After some quality summit time we headed back down
![Dunsinane 25]()
Down climbing the class 3/4 section one at a time
![Dunsinane 26]()
![Dunsinane 27]()
![Dunsinane 28]()
The amphitheater was a little tedious but managable
![Dunsinane 29]()
![Dunsinane 30]()
![Dunsinane 31]()
![Dunsinane 32]()
Turret Ridge.. a 5.9X climb to the north
![Dunsinane 33]()
In the interest of mixing it up we descended the north side of the gully that splits the lower mountain... MISTAKE! The dead fall and bushwhacking was much worse than the southern route we ascended. Stick to the south side of the gully for both ascent/descent
![Dunsinane 34]()
Upon returning to the field, I spotted a 1,000ft line of continuous snow in a north facing couloir on U4 Peak. I returned a week later to ski it
![Dunsinane 35]()
A nice little foot soak in the West Fork of the Cimarron to shake off the bushwhack
