Hamilton & PT13068
Date: 7/08/2024
Partner: Solo
Trailhead: Lake Como
Summits: Hamilton & PT13068
Distance: 9m
Elevation Gain: 4700ft
Duration: 10hrs
10 hours to cover 9 miles and 4700ft!? This was slow moving terrain for me. 2 hours from camp to Blanca, 4 hours out and back to Hamilton. Then 4 more hours to tag PT13068 and get back to camp. PT13068 was the long pole. I am not a fan of the Lake Como Road but this zone has some increbile peaks. Was stoked to get out to Hamilton... the ridge was fun. PT13068 was uh... ok... um... I guess?
![Hamilton 01]()
9m - 4700ft - 10hrs
![Hamilton 02]()
Little Bear Sunset from camp
![Hamilton 03]()
I hiked to the Ellingwood/Blanca saddle in the dark and was greeted with an amazing sunrise and inversion in the Huerfano valley below
![Hamilton 04]()
Ellingwood
![Hamilton 06]()
Ellingwood and unnamed 13ers to the north bask in the sunrise
![Hamilton 07]()
Lindsey and Huerfano to the east
![Hamilton 08]()
Looking back to Ellingwood. What a treat this sunrise was
![Hamilton 09]()
Little Bear wakes up looking good and feeling bright and cheery
![Hamilton 10]()
The 4 mile rt out and back from Blanca to Hamilton. Mostly 2+ with some easy 3 mixed in here and there. Took me 4 hours Blanca to Blanca
![Hamilton 11]()
Ridge walkin
![Hamilton 12]()
It goes on forever
![Hamilton 13]()
Blanca looking impressive from Hamilton
![Hamilton 14]()
Winchell Lakes on the east side of the ridge
![Hamilton 15]()
![Hamilton 16]()
Solid on ridge proper
![Hamilton 17]()
![Hamilton 18]()
Little Bear not quite as bright and cheery as it was earlier
![Hamilton 19]()
The final climb back to Blanca. This pitch was more fun to climb than to descend.
![Hamilton 20]()
Back down to the Ellingwood saddle
![Hamilton 21]()
Next stop PT13068. I descended to the 2nd from bottom lake and climbed to the saddle
![Hamilton 22]()
Just past this lake I gained the saddle
![Hamilton 23]()
After the talus field the climb was solid and fun
![Hamilton 24]()
The ridge to PT13068 felt long and was mostly 2+ with some 3 here and there
![Hamilton 25]()
The 3 was mostly solid
![Hamilton 26]()
On and on and on
![Hamilton 27]()
Looking back along the ridge to Ellingwood(L) and Blanca from the summit
![Hamilton 28]()
Instead of walking the ridge all the way back, I descended this tedious mess. Not optimal but it was quite possibly the best option.
![Hamilton 29]()
Happy to be back on grass
![Hamilton 30]()
Looking up to PT13068 from camp
![Hamilton 31]()
One last look at Little Bear before walking down the awful Lake Como Road
