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| | | Flat Top Mountain - Garfield COHP, CO | | | |
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Flat Top Mountain - Garfield COHP, CO
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| Hiking | 9.05 Miles |
2,492 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.05 Miles | | | |
| 2,492 ft AEG | | | | |
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none
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| no partners | | This was a hike to the summit of Flat Top Mountain (elevation of 12,359 feet and prominence of 4,064 feet), the highpoint of Garfield County and of the Flat Tops Wilderness.
I started and ended the hike at the Stillwater Trailhead, which is near the Stillwater Reservoir. The last 10 miles to the TH were on a well-graded gravel road, although the road was very washboardy in places.
The first and last 2.25 miles of the hike were on North Derby Trail #1122. This well-maintained trail was mostly through a shady forest. I left the trail at a saddle and headed northeast to Flat Top Mountain, which was in view the entire way. This stretch was above the treeline, and there was nothing to obstruct the nice views. There was a use trail for a while, then I was on tundra the rest of the way to the summit.
The summit was very rocky at the top, but it wasn't too bad to hike on, and the rocky part at the top was relatively short.
The day started out sunny, but by the time that I got to the summit at around 10:30 some clouds had started to build; so I figured that I had best head on back since it was over 2 miles back to the treeline. By the time that I got to the saddle at the treeline it started to sprinkle, and on the descent back to the TH there were some rumbles of thunder. By the time that I got back to the TH it was just starting to rain pretty good, so I got back in the nick of time.
This was an enjoyable hike with some nice views and nice wildflowers, so I am glad that I made the trip up there. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
There were lots of wildflowers on this hike. |
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| Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there |
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