Bison Peak

Distance: 12 miles
Ascent:   4,310 feet   
Top Elevation: 12,431
Route: Ute Creek trailhead (629) to Brookside McCurdy trail (607), ridge line to the peak and back.

Description: Must have been a few months ago our new hiking comrade, Mike, asked about Bison Peak.  Had to admit that I didn't know it, but when he mentioned that it was in the Lost Creek Wilderness it got moved up on the to-do list.

When researching this trail, I think the most commonly used term to describe it was "Class 1" or "well defined trail" and that it is one of the easier in this range.  While we certainly had no difficulties locating the path, seeing it did not make it any easier to climb.  The trail head starts above 8,700 feet, parallels the South Platte for less than a half mile and then turns north east and up toward Bison Pass.  Altitude, heat, and smoke in the air, presumably from the Wallow fire in Arizona, definitely slowed our pace on the way up.  Enjoying too many half and half's the afternoon before probably did not help either, but happy hour has that effect.

Thankfully when you reach the trail junction with the Brookside McCurdy you can start to see how close you are to timberline.  The climb might not be over but there is something about breaking from the trees that I find rejuvenating.  The top of Bison is huge to say the least and its difficult to see the actual peak until you on Bison's Arm just under 12,000 feet.  Found the wind on our stroll through the tundra so enjoyed the rock formations not just for photo ops, but as shields as well.  We reached the top and enjoyed a short break before turning back.  A storm was pushing over on Kenosha pass and we had just hit the afternoon mark anyway, so decided to drop back into the trees for lunch. 

There a couple campsites near the trail junction, so we pulled up on one for a place to sit for lunch.  Mike always brings his jet-boil, so today we partook and were able to eat something warm.  I think this may have been the trigger, because before we finished a light snow began to fall.  Not completely surprised at 11,000 feet but still it is June.  We finished up and began the descent. 

Along the way we passed several groups still ascending, several with large packs.  Great to see how many use this area and come to stay out for the weekend, but surprised at how late of a start and how large of packs people were carrying up.  For all of the trail heads in this area, this would definitely not be my first choice to haul up 60lbs.  True to Colorado style the snow tapered off, but would return as rain and bring along some thunder.  Hope everyone was safe, but this may be why so many get struck by lightning.

Great hike and look forward to doing other approaches and mountains in this system sooner rather than later.