Lupe continued onward.

Lupe and SPHP followed their tracks back down the mountain for a long way, before SPHP lost them for the final time.

Start at the Buffalo Cabin trailhead. After all the time and effort it took to get up here, it was a shame to have to leave so soon, but it was important to get as far down the mountain as possible before the light was all gone. There was little deadfall timber at first, but as Lupe went on, gradually there was more. Look for the beautiful field of paintbrush flowers in the back that you need to catch in bloom. The hike is only about a half mile each way (so one mile roundtrip), and it climbs up the back of the peak to a beautiful overlook of Utah Valley.

There is no trail. Buffalo Peaks- East to West ; The West Peak from the trail. In a sense, the route was known. Before long there was a place where Lupe could climb up.

Green Mountain was out of sight. Would there be any place from which to get a view?

SPHP decided to break the rule. SPHP hadn’t bothered to bring any human food along. SPHP’s earlier concerns that Lupe would climb all the way up Buffalo Peak to see nothing but trees was totally unjustified.

With no trail and over 3,000 feet of elevation gain involved, it … SPHP was surprised by what Lupe found in the forest.

Lupe and SPHP turned W from the little clearing. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. Required fields are marked *. Lupe wasn’t drinking much since she prefers to eat snow.

But, what if it wasn’t really? Colorado's Spring & early Summer hiking at its best - this underrated gem traverses the little known Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, forming a loop that spans open meadows, gorgeous forests and rushing creeks. After registering, it was time for a little break. She would inevitably reach the road, even if she didn’t hit it right at Stoney Pass.

SPHP wondered if there would be any viewpoints along the way. The Buffalo Cabin Trailhead is located at the end of Wildernest Road and shares a trailhead with Lily Pad Lake. Lupe and SPHP should have gotten off to an earlier start. Most of it was pretty small stuff, though, so it wasn’t much of a hindrance. It was a beautiful, clear and calm day as Lupe crossed the little creek, and started up the road for Stoney Pass. Lupe and SPHP worked around to the NW along the NE side of the ridge. Darkness isn’t the problem.

Lupe and SPHP headed for the black outline of Green Mountain against the stars.

The views from the narrow ridge that makes up the summit, are nothing short of spectacular so keep on hiking… The rule is that Lupe and SPHP are supposed to turn around in time to be able to reach a road or trail before dark from which SHPH knows for certain the way back to the G6. She headed for the next ridge that SPHP had seen ahead. Buffalo Peak is a big mountain.

The creek bottom looked flat and smooth and firm.

Lupe gobbled up most of the Taste of the Wild supply. It was just another big, fun romp in the woods to her.

SPHP isn’t certain about it, but this may have been the high point marked on the Peakbagger.com topo map as point 10,778.

The views from here were a little more encouraging. The summit is an easy, non-technical scramble. Down, down, down went the dingo in the dark. The blue sky seen between the trees above was always hundreds of feet higher than where Lupe and SPHP were. She had come down the huge mountain in the darkness to arrive just 150 feet NW of Stoney Pass. You will pass many condos and at the top of the road there will be a trailhead parking area on the left. It is a great choice for hikers and campers as it offers secluded locations that people looking for an escape from urban life would definitely appreciate.

Andrea had a roast, potatoes, carrots, and onions ready and waiting in the crock pot.

Here it was possible to catch a glimpse of mountains to the S between the trees. Lupe had to head S down into another valley from the 2nd big rock outcropping. The plan was to reach the summit of Buffalo Peak by following a ridge from the NE.

back in the Flat Top Mountains in August, 2015. From I-70 it looks like a gentle giant with its massive rounded summit sitting comfortably against the rugged Gore Range peaks to the north.

If it sank another foot into mud and the engine got wet, Lupe and SPHP were in for an adventure of the wrong sort. She climbed several hundred feet up it to find a 2nd big rock outcropping. Just great! There are two trailheads at this parking area, be sure to start at the Buffalo Cabin Trailhead. Want more Lupe adventures? The G6 didn’t have much clearance. SPHP was glad the snow was around on the way down. The days aren’t very long in November.

SPHP was very happy to find a register and a USGS Benchmark. From I-70 take Exit 205, Silverthorne/Dillon, and travel north on HWY 9 and turn left at the first traffic light, Rainbow Drive/Wildernest Road. Before SPHP even reached it, Lupe found the road. The snow was 6″ deep in the forest near the summit.

It only took 10 minutes or so even with the snow, deadfall, and rocky terrain to get over to the higher NW part of the ridge. The creek wasn’t very large. Date Hiked: July 22, 2018Distance: 5.8 mi (RT)Elevation Gain: 3,178 ftElevation Min/Max: 9,718 to 12,777 ftTrailhead Lat/Long: ​39º 37' 12" N; 106º 06' 36" WManaging Agency: U.S. Forest Service​Fee: None. When SPHP got up there, the view was both fantastic and concerning. To the S of the first big rock outcropping, Lupe passed through a nearly level area.

SPHP served up some Alpo for Lupe and Dusty. SPHP eyed the remaining Taste of the Wild, but decided to save it for later. The mountain and the forest went on and on. Not way out here. Lupe and SPHP headed NW down the road.

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