V9, Beattie Peak, Vermilion Peak, Golden Horn via Hope Lake in San Juan National Forest, CO

Hike V9, Beattie Peak, Vermilion Peak, Golden Horn via Hope Lake San Juan National Forest, CO

Class 3 8.8 miles 5700 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Aug 6, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

V9, Beattie Peak, Vermilion Peak, Golden Horn via Hope Lake GPX Track

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Normally, the fairly well-known Fuller, Vermilion, Golden Horn traverse is approached from the east via the Ice Lakes Trail and Mineral Creek Trail. However, this requires a couple road walking miles to complete the loop, and for some reason just didn't feel as exciting to me than coming at these peaks from the west from Hope Lake. A few days ago, I hiked to Hope Lake to get up to San Miguel Peak. I repeated the approach along the popular Hope Lake Trail, passing the lake and continuing along the Mineral Creek Trail to the saddle between V8 and V9 (Vermilion Peak 8, Vermilion Peak 9). I started off by going up V9, which started off as nice Class 2, quickly becoming loose and unpleasant dirt and loose scree. The ridge mellowed out a bit, actually becoming more fun. A few non-exposed Class 3 moves and some minor route-finding brought me to the summit. I dropped back to the saddle of V9 and V8 and headed up to V8. This included lots of Class 2 loose talus, sometimes a little treacherous since moving one rock the wrong way seems like it could set off a bunch more. The start of the ridge seemed particularly steep so I wrapped slightly to the right before ascending in earnest. I made it to the summit ridge and continued over the summit and onward to Beattie Peak. Along the way, some fun Class 2 with gorgeous views made for a pleasant traverse. Getting to the saddle of V8 and Beattie Peak required some loose Class 2+ in a dirty gully, but otherwise not a big deal.

Once on Beattie Peak, I took in the bright orange colors of the Vermilion group before descending to Beattie's saddle with Fuller Peak. Take note of this saddle where there seems to be a social trail leading from the saddle down to Hope Lake – you may want to come back here later rather than use my descent route, but more on that later. From the Beattie – Fuller saddle, a social trail seems to switchback directly up to the summit of Fuller Peak, but I opted to follow a more pleasant-looking and less steep social trail to the Fuller – Vermilion saddle. From here, I continued onward to Fuller Peak on Class 2 stuff, before I continued onward to Vermilion Peak. A social trail leads to the left of the ridge, avoiding the jagged and crumbly pinnacles. It's clearly a fairly well-traveled route to get this peak. Just below the summit, the trail hugs the ridgeline cliffs and bisects a very steep and dirty gully that sweeps all the way down Vermilion Peak's south face. The route goes up this gully. I butt-scooted later to get down, but the ascent was maybe Class 2+. Some more Class 2 led to a false summit, and a very short knife-edge-like ridge led to the true summit of Vermilion Peak. Getting to Golden Horn from here would not be possible via Vermilion Peak's north ridge.

Back at the Vermilion – Fuller saddle, I noted a social trail that would take me to Golden Horn. It was a Class 2 talus/scree route (definitely a theme of this traverse) across a minor bench-like feature, leading to the Vermilion – Golden Horn saddle. Some Class 2+ moves led to the summit of Golden Horn. It was a relatively fun little peak with some outstanding views into Ice Lakes Basin and toward Pilot Knob to the north.

I dropped back down to the Vermilion – Golden Horn saddle and noted my intended descent route, an absolutely terrible Class 3 (I'm calling it that because it's dangerous, but it's really just a butt-scoot) slope of loose dirt and rock. I briefly thought about return way back to the Beattie – Fuller saddle (remember I mentioned noting that saddle earlier in my trip report?), but after a little self-convincing, I slowly moved myself down this slope at a diagonal angle. The center of the slope was bright white dirt that I definitely would have started sliding down without intending to. Once at the base of this slope, I continued down the center of the wide basin I had committed to, encountering some more steepness, but nothing like that first section. It was a wide open and not exactly unpleasant hike down, the Wilsons group waving ahead of me the whole time. While definitely a faster option from the alternative of returning to the Beattie – Fuller saddle, it was slow-moving. Eventually I made it down into a gully where I encountered a running stream called Poverty Gulch. I followed the stream for a while before stumbling on a completely unexpected trail. I figured I'd have to take this route and bushwhack all the way back to the Hope Lake Trail, but nope, somehow there was a trail. Someone walked by. Curious, I asked where she were going and she said "Hope Lake". Not wanting to mansplain, I gently mentioned I didn't think the trail went to Hope Lake, but she seemed confident and hiked on. I passed another couple of hikers. Maybe this did go to Hope Lake? After following the trail for a while and stepping over human-placed logs/sticks intended to deter hikers from going this way, I realized the hikers' mistake. This trail intersected with the Hope Lake Trail at a spot that was possibly unclear, where the trail crossed the Povery Gulch creek I'd been following and continued on the opposite side, whereas this misguided trail was clear enough to seem like the true trail. I marked this "misguided trail" section on my map.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
V 9
13240 ft
377 rise
2
V 8
13280 ft
280 rise
3
Beattie Peak
13342 ft
302 rise
4
Fuller Peak
13761 ft
241 rise
5
Vermilion Peak
13894 ft
2105 rise
6
Golden Horn
13760 ft
360 rise

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Hope Lake Trailhead.
Hope Lake Trailhead.
Along the Hope Lake Trail, a view toward the cliffs surrounding Pilot Knob, center. This is a shot taken at the junction labeled "misguided trail" on my attached map. The end of the loop comes from this creek. The Hope Lake Trail continues on the right.
Along the Hope Lake Trail, a view toward the cliffs surrounding Pilot Knob, center. This is a shot taken at the junction labeled "misguided trail" on my attached map. The end of the loop comes from this creek. The Hope Lake Trail continues on the right.
Continuing along the Hope Lake Trail. San Miguel Peak center.
Continuing along the Hope Lake Trail. San Miguel Peak center.
Vermilion Peak looking all pretty and stuff.
Vermilion Peak looking all pretty and stuff.
Looking back along the Hope Lake Trail before reaching the lake.
Looking back along the Hope Lake Trail before reaching the lake.
Hope Lake. The Mineral Creek Trail continues behind me to the saddle of V8 and V9.
Hope Lake. The Mineral Creek Trail continues behind me to the saddle of V8 and V9.
Looking back toward Hope Lake. I know the lighting changed. I took photos at a different time for this section.
Looking back toward Hope Lake. I know the lighting changed. I took photos at a different time for this section.
Image 7 from gallery
Heading up the Mineral Creek Trail to the saddle.
Heading up the Mineral Creek Trail to the saddle.
At the saddle, heading up V9 first.
At the saddle, heading up V9 first.
Class 2 to start.
Class 2 to start.
Class 2+/3 on the loose orange crap on the right.
Class 2+/3 on the loose orange crap on the right.
Image 12 from gallery
Looking back toward the saddle as the scrambling gets a bit more fun and route-findy.
Looking back toward the saddle as the scrambling gets a bit more fun and route-findy.
V9 summit ahead. Wrap around the center outcropping on the left.
V9 summit ahead. Wrap around the center outcropping on the left.
Almost on the V9 summit, looking back toward Hope Lake and the V9/V8 saddle.
Almost on the V9 summit, looking back toward Hope Lake and the V9/V8 saddle.
Last bit to the V9 summit.
Last bit to the V9 summit.
V9 summit, view west toward San Miguel Peak.
V9 summit, view west toward San Miguel Peak.
Back at the saddle of V9 and V8, heading up to V8. Yes, the lighting changed again, but for the last time.
Back at the saddle of V9 and V8, heading up to V8. Yes, the lighting changed again, but for the last time.
Looking toward Rolling Mountain as I head up V8.
Looking toward Rolling Mountain as I head up V8.
V8 Class 2 talus.
V8 Class 2 talus.
Almost to the V8 summit, looking back toward V9 (left), San Miguel Peak (right top), and Hope Lake.
Almost to the V8 summit, looking back toward V9 (left), San Miguel Peak (right top), and Hope Lake.
Continuing along the ridge from V8 to Beattie Peak, Vermilion Peak visible center.
Continuing along the ridge from V8 to Beattie Peak, Vermilion Peak visible center.
Short Class 2+ loose slope toward the saddle of V8 and Beattie.
Short Class 2+ loose slope toward the saddle of V8 and Beattie.
Looking back toward the Class 2+ slope at the V8/Beattie saddle.
Looking back toward the Class 2+ slope at the V8/Beattie saddle.
View back toward V8 as I approach Beattie Peak.
View back toward V8 as I approach Beattie Peak.
Beattie Peak summit ahead, Fuller Peak on the left.
Beattie Peak summit ahead, Fuller Peak on the left.
Another show looking back from the summit of Beattie Peak. San Miguel Peak is the gray one on the right.
Another show looking back from the summit of Beattie Peak. San Miguel Peak is the gray one on the right.
Close-up toward Fuller Peak. You can see switchbacks up the ridge, and the shadows hide a more obvious diagonal social trail to the saddle with Vermilion. I took that one. Also note that in case you don't want to descend later from the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle, there is a social trail at the bottom of this photo that can be used to descend back to Hope Lake.
Close-up toward Fuller Peak. You can see switchbacks up the ridge, and the shadows hide a more obvious diagonal social trail to the saddle with Vermilion. I took that one. Also note that in case you don't want to descend later from the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle, there is a social trail at the bottom of this photo that can be used to descend back to Hope Lake.
Along the social trail to the Fuller/Vermilion saddle.
Along the social trail to the Fuller/Vermilion saddle.
Looking back as I ascend. Beattie Peak on the left.
Looking back as I ascend. Beattie Peak on the left.
Just above the Fuller/Vermilion saddle, looking toward Vermilion (left) and Golden Horn (center).
Just above the Fuller/Vermilion saddle, looking toward Vermilion (left) and Golden Horn (center).
Fuller Peak ahead, Class 2.
Fuller Peak ahead, Class 2.
Fuller Peak summit, view along the ridgeline toward Beattie. Rolling Mountain visible top left. San Miguel Peak top right.
Fuller Peak summit, view along the ridgeline toward Beattie. Rolling Mountain visible top left. San Miguel Peak top right.
Back at the Vermilion/Fuller saddle, headed up to Vermilion on a well-beaten social trail.
Back at the Vermilion/Fuller saddle, headed up to Vermilion on a well-beaten social trail.
View back as I start along to Vermilion Peak. Beattie Peak is visible center.
View back as I start along to Vermilion Peak. Beattie Peak is visible center.
Continuing to Vermilion Peak. The social trail keeps left of the ridge the whole time.
Continuing to Vermilion Peak. The social trail keeps left of the ridge the whole time.
Vermilion Peak summit ahead. Approaching the steep, loose gully (the edge of the shadow) required to gain the summit. Just after the gully, some Class 2 leads to the top.
Vermilion Peak summit ahead. Approaching the steep, loose gully (the edge of the shadow) required to gain the summit. Just after the gully, some Class 2 leads to the top.
Looking back as I approach the Vermilion summit gully.
Looking back as I approach the Vermilion summit gully.
Summit gully. Ew. At the top of this gully, hang left and take some Class 2 stuff to the summit. A short baby knife edge leads to the true summit from there.
Summit gully. Ew. At the top of this gully, hang left and take some Class 2 stuff to the summit. A short baby knife edge leads to the true summit from there.
Vermilion Peak summit, view north toward Golden Horn (center) and Pilot Knob (left). Ice Lake Basin visible on the right.
Vermilion Peak summit, view north toward Golden Horn (center) and Pilot Knob (left). Ice Lake Basin visible on the right.
Vermilion Peak summit, view toward Fuller Peak and Fuller Lake.
Vermilion Peak summit, view toward Fuller Peak and Fuller Lake.
Vermilion Peak summit, view southwest toward my route so far. You can see V9, V8, and Beattie running center to left. Also, Hope Lake and San Miguel on the top right, Rolling Mountain top left.
Vermilion Peak summit, view southwest toward my route so far. You can see V9, V8, and Beattie running center to left. Also, Hope Lake and San Miguel on the top right, Rolling Mountain top left.
Close-up toward Hope Lake and San Miguel Peak.
Close-up toward Hope Lake and San Miguel Peak.
Back at the Fuller/Vermilion saddle, heading along a social trail on Vermilion's eastern slope on Class 2 stuff. The route leads to the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle.
Back at the Fuller/Vermilion saddle, heading along a social trail on Vermilion's eastern slope on Class 2 stuff. The route leads to the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle.
At the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle, view toward Golden Horn. Pilot Knob visible in the background.
At the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle, view toward Golden Horn. Pilot Knob visible in the background.
Class 2/2+ up Golden Horn.
Class 2/2+ up Golden Horn.
View back toward Vermilion Peak. The bench-like formation where the snow is was the side-hill route I took to get from one saddle to the other.
View back toward Vermilion Peak. The bench-like formation where the snow is was the side-hill route I took to get from one saddle to the other.
Golden Horn ahead.
Golden Horn ahead.
The social trail to Golden Horn leads around the right side of some rocky outcroppings.
The social trail to Golden Horn leads around the right side of some rocky outcroppings.
Final ascent to the summit.
Final ascent to the summit.
Golden Horn summit, view north into the Ice Lake Basin.
Golden Horn summit, view north into the Ice Lake Basin.
Close-up toward Pilot Knob.
Close-up toward Pilot Knob.
View back toward Vermilion Peak (right) and Fuller Peak (left). Note the lighter-colored saddle on the bottom right. That's where I decided to descend.
View back toward Vermilion Peak (right) and Fuller Peak (left). Note the lighter-colored saddle on the bottom right. That's where I decided to descend.
Back at the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle, looking down the stupid steep slope.
Back at the Vermilion/Golden Horn saddle, looking down the stupid steep slope.
Looking back up at the saddle.
Looking back up at the saddle.
Another shot looking back at the saddle, Golden Horn visible top left.
Another shot looking back at the saddle, Golden Horn visible top left.
After continuing past the first steep section, some more Class 2 descending, though far less steep and unpleasant.
After continuing past the first steep section, some more Class 2 descending, though far less steep and unpleasant.
Wilson group in the distance.
Wilson group in the distance.
Looking back at my progress.
Looking back at my progress.
Entering the Poverty Gulch drainage, where I encountered a creek.
Entering the Poverty Gulch drainage, where I encountered a creek.
Looking back again, Pilot Knob's cliffs visible on the left.
Looking back again, Pilot Knob's cliffs visible on the left.
Following the creek within Poverty Gulch.
Following the creek within Poverty Gulch.
Stumbled on this old trail, labeled "misguided trail".
Stumbled on this old trail, labeled "misguided trail".
Continuing along the trail.
Continuing along the trail.
Looking back along the trial before rejoining with the Hope Lake Trail.
Looking back along the trial before rejoining with the Hope Lake Trail.

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