Ellingwood Point & Crossfire Ridge
Date: 06/26/2024
Partners: Solo
Trailhead: Zapata Falls
Distance: 13m
Elevation Gain: 5800ft
Duration: 9hrs 10min
While Crossfire Ridge was a little tedious, it was fun to climb Ellingwood from a different aspect. Ellingwood's summit is pretty spectacular! Other than the Zapata Falls tourists, I didn't see another person all day... pretty special for an iconic 14er.
Crossfire Ridge 14ers.com Page
Ellingwood Point 14ers.com Page
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 01]()
13m - 5800ft - 9hrs 10min
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After hiking a reasonably maintained trail through the woods the views open up. Ellingwood(L) - Crossfire Ridge(R)
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Ellingwood and Crossfire from South Zapata Lake
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Crossfire Ridge - I contoured around to the right, found a tarn and climbed what I think is C2 gully
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C2 gully
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Ellingwood's west face (Blanca behind) and the ups and downs of a somewhat tedious Crossfire Ridge
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Little Bear views from Crossfire Ridge
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Now up to Ellingwood via it's west and north ridge
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 09]()
Some easy 2+ / 3 close to Ellingwood's summit
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 10]()
Ellingwood has a great summit
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 11]()
Little Bear - Blanca views
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Blanca
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Little Bear looking mean
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Eastern views of Lindsey, Iron Nipple, Huerfano and Huefanna (R2L)
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Lindsey's south face
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 16]()
Northern views to California Peak - Crestones off in the distance
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Western view to Twin Peaks while descending from Ellingwood
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Twin Peaks and South Zapata Lake
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Instead of traversing back across Crossfire I descended C3. Didn't look too bad from above.
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 20]()
It was a little steeper than I anticipated resulting in a spicy glissade. Thankful for my axe
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 21]()
Looking back to my glissade of C3
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 22]()
Ellingwood from South Zapata Lake
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 23]()
One last look at Ellingwood and South Zapata Creek
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Desert flowers
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Northern views of the Crestones over the Great Sand Dunes
![Ellingwood crossfire 2 26]()
Zapata sunset
