Niagara & The Crowns
Trailhead: Snare Gulch (4x4)
Summits:
* Crown Mountain
* North Crown Mountain
* Niagara Peak
Distance: 9.4m
Elevation Gain: 3800ft
Duration: 6.5hrs
GPX
Crown 14ers.com Page
North Crown 14ers.com Page
Niagara 14ers.com Page
Walking the road from the TH is a little tiresome (not a fan of walking roads)... but once in the upper basin this is a gorgeous little hike. Be sure to take my short cut and avoid the tedious switchbacks on the road.
9.4m - 3800ft - 6.5hrs. Avoid the roads switchbacks and take the diagonal route in the gps crown track
Historic cabin or trailer trash? This is the spot where our out and back trail intersects. If I were to do it again I would take the out track in both directions at this point... I don't mind some mild schwacking to cut some distance.
After walking the road for a bit the terrain opens into a gorgeous basin. Niagara above flowers
Plenty of lakes up here
Crown (L) and Niagara (R)
A short scramble to Crown's south ridge
Crown's south ridge
Kristi hiking Crown's south ridge. Stony Pass peaks just behind
The Nuche!
While Kristi took a breather I did a short out and back to North Crown
Southern views down CR2 towards Silverton
The ridge to Niagara from Crown
Heading to Niagara - North Crown behind
Approaching Niagara's summit
Northerly views toward (L2R) Coxcomb, Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre
Jones (L), Handies(behind) and American(R) from Niagara
Descending Niagara's east ridge
Back to the basin - land of streams, lakes and wildflowers
Half looking closer than it is
Back to the trailer trash and not far from the TH (if you opt for my shortcut)