White Dome and Peak One

Christy Mahon near the summit of White Dome — Near the summit of White Dome, 13,627 ft.

It’s August, the snow has finally melted and the wildflowers are going off. It’s time for a San Juan weekend!

Our goal was to climb White Dome and Peak One. The trip began just outside of Silverton. We hopped on the CDT (Contintental Divide Trail) and took it south into the Weminuche Wilderness. After a few hours hiking the trail, covering about 6 miles, we set up camp at a lake below the north side of White Dome, just before the rain began.

Christy mahon at the Highland Mary lakes trailhead. — Getting started at the trailhead for Highland Mary Lakes.

Ted Mahon hiking on the Continntal Divide Trail — On the CDT, which is also part of the Colorado Trail along this stretch.

Christy Mahon hiking in the Weminuche Wilderness — Climbing up one last hill before arriving to camp. The big canyon/valley behind Christy is Elk Creek.

Christy Mahon in the tent — We made it to camp in the early afternoon, just as the forecasted rain arrived.

Ted Mahon blowing out birthday candles at camp. — The weather didn’t dampen the birthday celebration!

It was right where we wanted to be. Our goal for the next day was to try to climb White Dome and complete a loop around it, with summits of nearby Peak One and Hunchback Mountain. All 13ers, they’re peaks we had seen from afar and hoped to someday stand atop.

Waking up to a beautiful morning, we made our way up the talus-strewn basin below White Dome. Once on the ridge, we moved fast. The quartzite rock that comprises this range of mountains known as the Grenadiers was solid and fun for ridge scrambling.

Christy Mahon above Eldorado Lake — The next morning was a beautiful one as we started up White Dome, 13,627 ft.

Ted Mahon on White Dome — We were thrilled to finally get up on this summit. Peak One, 13,589 ft., is out the ridge in the distance, which was our next objective of the day.

After White Dome we headed south to Peak One, another Bicentennial. From its summit there were some crazy views of the other Grenadier peaks to the south, from Arrow Peak on the west to The Guardian on the east. What a place.

Christy Mahon on the summit of the 13er White Dome — Christy, filling out the old summit register.

Heading to Peak One. White Dome is behind.

The three Trinity Peaks to the south — The Trinity Peaks to the south.

We descended off of Peak One and traversed idyllic San Juan meadows northeast, towards Hunchback Mountain, 13,136 ft. The clouds were building a bit but by that point we had almost completed our loop and we weren’t far from camp.

Hiking across the meadows back towards Hunchback Mountain. Mount Nebo is out to the right.

Christy taking a moment at Vallecito Lake — Taking a moment at Vallecito Lake.

Christy Mahon on the summit of Hunchback Mountain — On the summit of Hunchback Mountain, 13,136 ft.

We made it back to the tent near Eldorado Lake by late afternoon. The bad weather never arrived (at least until much later that night).

Ted Mahon heading back to camp. — Heading back to camp.

Ted and Christy Mahon at Eldorado Lake — Happy Hour!

Christy Mahon making dinner at camp — Christy, cheffing it up.

The following morning we retraced our approach back along the CDT, hiking in and out of passing rain showers. We made a side trip over a grassy ridge to get in the basin of the Highland Mary Lakes. We took in the view of the lakes, which was quite impressive, and followed the popular trail from the lakes back down to the trailhead.