Shoshoni – Apache – Navajo – Niwot Ridge Traverse (~14 miles round trip, ~5000 ft gain/loss, 4 summits, rock up to 4th)

Shoshoni - Apache - Navajo - Niwot Ridge

Routes:

~14 miles round trip, ~5000 ft gain/loss, 4 summits, rock up to 4th

- Shoshoni Peak (12,967')
- Apache Peak (13,441')
- Navajo Peak (13,409')
- Niwot Ridge (13,023')

Scoping out another rugged section of the LA Freeway.

Region: Colorado
Elev: 10,300-13,441 ft
Rock type: Gneiss & Granite
Type: 
Date(s): July 15, 2024 (Mon)
Partner(s): solo

Route Overlay

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Maps

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Intro

I have my sights set on the "LA Freeway", a 38(or so)-mile ridgeline traverse from Longs Peak to Arapaho Peaks. I've been scoping out various "crux" sections. One section I wanted to scope out was the section between Shoshoni and Navajo Peaks. This section is quite rugged in appearance, containing multipe towers (called "The Chessmen"), but apparently they can be traversed on the east by 3rd and 4th class scrambling (and indeed they can be, as I discovered).

The traverse ended up being a fuller day than I expected, taking me a bit over 9 hours. I didn't see a single other person on the ridge, and I was treated to several cool moments, such as encountering a mamma ptarmigan and her energetic quintuplets, hiking past numerous fields of wildflowers, navigating an efficient and enjoyable 3rd/4th class path from Shoshoni to Navajo, spotting an elusive pine martin, seeing the weather equipment and Boulder watershed signs on Niwot Ridge, and more. What an enjoyable way to get in some exercise.

The following page contains a map and photos from my traverse.

Photos

Niwot Ridge to Trailhead

Niwot Ridge highpoint: 13,023 ft
Niwot Trailhead: 10,300 ft
Split time: 2:34
Cumulative time: 9:18
From Niwot Ridge, I desceded a steep grassy slope to the Lake Isabelle Trail and hiked back to the trailhead. I had parked at Niwot Picnic/Trailhead Parking.

Comments Pertaining to this Page / Trip Report

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