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Herman Gulch Trail #98 - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Jul 13 2023
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 Guides 99
 Routes 1,486
 Photos 16,077
 Triplogs 1,376

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Pettingell Peak - Grand County HP, CO 
Pettingell Peak - Grand County HP, CO
 
Hiking avatar Jul 13 2023
DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,376
Hiking9.26 Miles 3,269 AEG
Hiking9.26 Miles   6 Hrs   59 Mns   1.52 mph
3,269 ft AEG      53 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Herman Gulch Trail #98
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This hike went to the summit of Pettingell Peak (elevation of 13,553 feet and prominence of 1,563 feet). The hike started and ended at the Herman Gulch TH, which is about 200 feet from an I-70 exit ramp. Any vehicle can get there, even a subaru!

I was the second car at the TH, and I mostly had the trail to myself. I was moving kinda slow early in the morning. I stopped to take a break at the 2 mile mark, and some girl who was trail running whizzed right by me. That didn't exactly make me feel too good!

This was a tale of 2 hikes. The first 3.5 miles were on the Herman Gulch Trail, which was a nice well-maintained trail ending at Herman Lake, and gaining about 1,700 feet of elevation along the way. The next mile or so to the summit was totally off-trail, and went up some steep talus slopes, and gained a little over 1,500 feet. There were some snow fields that I had to navigate around, which added a bit of spice to the hike. The snow was in 2 places: just past Herman Lake and at a ridgeline just below the summit. On the ascent, I went below the ridgeline to avoid the snow, and had to do some class 2 rock scrambling to get up to the summit.

There were great views at the top, which made the climb worthwhile. I thought that I would have the summit to myself, but I had to share it with a too-friendly marmot.

Synopsis
If you like scenery and solitude, and don't mind some route finding, then this hike should fit the bill. This peak is my 3rd favorite summit in Colorado, behind only Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Marmot (Yellow-Bellied)
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ - Hike HAZard
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Herman Lake  Pettingell Peak
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  snow bridge
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Herman Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
There was a good bit of snow melt going into the lake.
_____________________
Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
 
Aug 05 2019
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 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,278

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Herman Gulch Trail #98Central, CO
Herman Gulch Trail #98
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Aug 05 2019
Pivo • Triplogs 4,278
Hiking7.21 Miles 1,842 AEG
Hiking7.21 Miles   3 Hrs   26 Mns   2.46 mph
1,842 ft AEG      30 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MyRudy
Finally got back on trail. Past 10 days have been a bit of a challenge.

There’s still snow, and lots of snowmelt.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Rocky Mountain Columbine
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Herman Lake
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
 
Jul 02 2018
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 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,278

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Herman Gulch Trail #98Central, CO
Herman Gulch Trail #98
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Jul 02 2018
Pivo • Triplogs 4,278
Hiking6.77 Miles 1,800 AEG
Hiking6.77 Miles   3 Hrs   8 Mns   2.42 mph
1,800 ft AEG      20 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MyRudy
Joseph and I hiked with The Summit County Meetup Group today. The wildflowers are spectacular on this trail. Slopes full of Rocky Mountain Columbines, Indian Paint Brush, and others. Great density and diversity.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Franciscan Bluebells  Indian Paintbrush  Rocky Mountain Columbine  Western Bistort
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Herman Lake
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Herman Lake 51-75% full 51-75% full
_____________________
 
May 09 2010
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 Guides 1
 Routes 2
 Photos 315
 Triplogs 1

47 male
 Joined Feb 18 2010
 Aurora, CO
Herman Gulch Trail #98Central, CO
Herman Gulch Trail #98
Central, CO
Hiking avatar May 09 2010
tandmhaines • Triplogs 1
Hiking5.60 Miles 1,700 AEG
Hiking5.60 Miles
1,700 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dog
_____________________
LIFE IS A JOURNEY AND ONLY YOU HOLD THE KEY
 
average hiking speed 2.13 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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