Ida – Chief Cheley – Cracktop – Julian – Terra Tomah, ~15 miles round trip, ~5400 ft gain/loss, 5 summits, up to 3rd

Ida - Chief Cheley - Cracktop - Julian - Terra Tomah Traverse

Routes:

~15 miles round trip, ~5400 ft gain/loss, 5 summits, up to 3rd

- Mt. Ida (12,874')
- Chief Cheley Peak (12,804')
- Cracktop (12,766')
- Mount Julian (12,928')
- Terra Tomah Mountain (12,018')

A nice high-ridgeline traverse over five summits in RMNP.

Region: Colorado
Elev: 10,800-12,928 ft
Rock type: Gneiss & Granite
Type: 
Date(s): July 22, 2024 (Mon)
Partner(s): Will Starks

Map & Area Overlay

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Intro

It was an unusually cold spell in the montains (highs in the high 40's in mid-July!), a bit too cold for my wimpy fingers for climbing. So it was a good day to go on a peak-bagging advenutre. I had sort of made it my vague goal to get to every named summit in my backyard Rocky Mountain National Park. I had been scoping out a traverse of five RMNP summits—Ida, Chief Cheley, Cracktop, Julian, and Terra Tomah—that would be quite doable in a single day.

My friend Will, who also loves a good day of mountain exercise, joined me for this traverse.

Below is a map, area overlay, and photos from the fun day peak bagging in my backyard!

Photos

Terra Tomah Mountain to Poudre Lake Trailhead at Milner Pass

Terra Tomah Mountain: 12,018 ft
Mount Julian: 12,928 ft
Cracktop: 12,766 ft
Peak 12,800: 12,800 ft
Chief Cheley: 12,804 ft
Mt. Ida: 12,874 ft
Poudre Lake Trailhead at Milner Pass: 10,758 ft
Split time: 3:29
Cumulative time: 8:17 (total car to car a bit more due to breaks on summit and Ida)
Reverse the route (3rd).

Comments Pertaining to this Page / Trip Report

Useful beta. Updated route information. Corrections. Historical notes. Interesting facts. No fluff please.
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