Quandary Peak via West Ridge in White River National Forest, CO

Hike Quandary Peak via West Ridge White River National Forest, CO

Class 3 3.4 miles 2700 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 15, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Quandary Peak via West Ridge GPX Track

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Rather than take the standard east ridge of Quandary, I opted for the somewhat exposed Class 3 West Ridge route to make it more interesting of an outing, and in order to also have a chance to check out the Blue Lake Dam area.

Starting from Blue Lakes Dam, I followed a trail leading west along the north side of the water, slowly making upward progress on a narrow and pretty trail. This trail took me northwest into a lush, beautiful valley, which continued past tarns and streams to the west ridge of Wuandary Peak. The Class 2 ride led to the thick of the scrambling, where a few cryptic sections of Class 3 surprised me with their somewhat unexpected exposure. Once at the summit, I decided I'd head down the south slopes of Quandary Peak rather than head back along the West Ridge, so I followed the Cristo Couloir (Class 2) down to complete the loop. There's really not a correct way down, but I recommend taking the south ridge of Quandary until you can drop off to the left, heading generally southeast.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Quandary Peak
14265 ft
1105 rise

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Starting along the north side of Blue Lakes Dam.
Starting along the north side of Blue Lakes Dam.
Image 1 from gallery
Looking back toward the dam as I head up into the valley southwest of Quandary Peak.
Looking back toward the dam as I head up into the valley southwest of Quandary Peak.
Heading up to the West Ridge of Quandary Peak, Fletcher Peak visible center.
Heading up to the West Ridge of Quandary Peak, Fletcher Peak visible center.
Gorgeous scenery on the way up.
Gorgeous scenery on the way up.
Looking back the way I came toward the Blue Lakes Dam (hidden from view below by the landscape).
Looking back the way I came toward the Blue Lakes Dam (hidden from view below by the landscape).
Cairns marking the way up to the West Ridge.
Cairns marking the way up to the West Ridge.
A particularly pretty tarn just below the ridge.
A particularly pretty tarn just below the ridge.
View looking back across the tarns just south of the ridge.
View looking back across the tarns just south of the ridge.
Continuing up to the west ridge, view back the way I came.
Continuing up to the west ridge, view back the way I came.
Last bit of uphill to gain the West Ridge, Quandary Peak visible ahead.
Last bit of uphill to gain the West Ridge, Quandary Peak visible ahead.
On the West Ridge of Quandary Peak, view east to the ridge to come.
On the West Ridge of Quandary Peak, view east to the ridge to come.
Close-up of the ridgeline.
Close-up of the ridgeline.
Another shot of the ridge, showing more of the north side of Quandary Peak
Another shot of the ridge, showing more of the north side of Quandary Peak
Looking back along the ridge at Fletcher and Atlantic.
Looking back along the ridge at Fletcher and Atlantic.
Some warm-up obstacles
Some warm-up obstacles
The route heads just left of the ridge seen ahead. Class 2 stuff for a while.
The route heads just left of the ridge seen ahead. Class 2 stuff for a while.
Back on the main ridge, looking back the way I came.
Back on the main ridge, looking back the way I came.
Class 3 begins in earnest
Class 3 begins in earnest
A gully obstacle.
A gully obstacle.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Another notable obstacle, still only Class 3.
Another notable obstacle, still only Class 3.
Looking back past the ridge obstacles.
Looking back past the ridge obstacles.
View southwest, Blue Lakes Dam below on the left. This was taken from just below the summit of Quandary Peak as I head sown the south ridge.
View southwest, Blue Lakes Dam below on the left. This was taken from just below the summit of Quandary Peak as I head sown the south ridge.
Blue Lakes Dam below, as I head down the south slopes.
Blue Lakes Dam below, as I head down the south slopes.
The approach route I took earlier, Blue Lakes Dam visible center left.
The approach route I took earlier, Blue Lakes Dam visible center left.
Image 26 from gallery
Looking back up at Quandary Peak's south slopes.
Looking back up at Quandary Peak's south slopes.
Another shot looking back up, almost back to the Blue Lakes Trailhead.
Another shot looking back up, almost back to the Blue Lakes Trailhead.
Mountain goats on the way down.
Mountain goats on the way down.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!