MOUNT LOGAN 12,870’

Mount Logan’s Wolverine Cirque. Photo: Rob Writz

Mount Logan sits by itself at the southern end of the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness. This mountain is difficult to see from northern Front Range communities. You can get a good view from high points around the Castle Rock area, and a direct view of Wolverine Cirque from Staunton State Park. The mountain is separated from Rosalie Peak to the north by Deer Creek, and the southern flanks descend over 4,000 feet to the North Fork of the South Platte River. The mountain is quite massive, and occupies a large area. This size and separation combine to make Mount Logan a very quiet place in all seasons. Ski and snowboard mountaineering on Mount Logan is an acquired taste. Be prepared for a long day that may involve bushwhacking. The snowpack is often shallow, and reflective of the windy and temperamental conditions found in the Mount Blue Sky area. The timing of a climb and ski descent of Mount Logan may best be paired with a large upslope storm, or later in May when more distance can be covered quickly on solid ground.

The mountain holds several gullies facing northeast and dropping from above treeline to the upper reaches of Deer Creek. This may be an area for winter skiing, assuming the snowpack is deep enough. A trip up Deer Creek, following the lines of the Rosalie Summer trail, and then south along the north slopes to the summit would be an interesting and long day tour. The Rosalie trail and Deer Creek valley look like an interesting way to tour deeper into the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness. Our ski mountaineering attention draws us to the Wolverine Cirque, which is visible on the drive to and from the Deer Creek trailhead.

+ ROUTES

1 - Wolverine Cirque

Rating: II D10
Average Angle, Steepest Angle: 44, 55
ATES: 3, Complex
Season: Spring
Exposure: East
Vertical: 800'
Approach Elevations: 9,270 - 12,400'
Approach Distance: From Deer Creek TH: 3.14 miles
Top of the Route Waypoint: 39.49726, -105.61953

Wolverine Cirque, aka Southern Couloirs, are a series of short and steep chutes on the eastern flank of the mountain and the head of Camp Creek. The two northern chutes (looker's right) have a large overhanging cornice lurking above, as this is leeward terrain. Just to the south, there are several interesting chutes that connect from the mountain's shoulder into the basin. An alternative route, that can be used to climb as well as descend, is are the snow slopes just to the south (looker's left) of the deep cirque. Each chute is short, and if conditions allow you may want to do several runs. The approach is difficult, so maximize your time up here! The summit is approximately 0.6 miles west from the top of the cirque.

The direct approach is an exercise in route finding and bushwacking. The low elevation start at Deer Creek trailhead may require hiking boots for dry trail, especially if you are here at the end of April or later. From the trailhead, follow the Tanglewood/Rosalie trail to the west. In under a tenth of a mile, the new trail continues to the right and towards the creek. There should be rocks and logs blocking the old, decommissioned trail and a sign directing the trails to the right. You want to follow the old trail just under one quarter mile from here to a clearing where there is the remnants of an old road going uphill and southwest. You will want to follow this old road up an intermittent creek drainage that is between Camp Creek and Deer Creek. This old road and trail is very hard to follow. Climb uphill from here to about 10,400' elevation, and begin looking southwest for an intersection with Camp Creek. Follow Camp Creek to the base of the Cirque. You are in ATES 0 (non-avalanche) terrain during the whole approach until the base of the Cirque.

+ TRAILHEAD

Deer Creek Trailhead (9,270)

This spacious trailhead serves as a major access point into Mount Blue Sky's wilderness. The trail head is approximately 9 miles from the intersection of Deer Creek Road / Park County Road 43, and US Highway 285. Find Deer Creek Road off of Highway 285 between Crow Hill and Pine Junction. When you reach Deer Creek campground, continue on the road less than a mile to the trailhead.

+ MAPS & PICTURES

Below we have included a link to Front Range Skimo's master map. The routes on the map are approximations, and are not intended for use as a GPX track. To the right are a curated list of photos of the mountain.