Pagoda Mountain sits at the southern end of Glacier Gorge in between two of Rocky Mountain National Park’s beasts: Longs Peak (14,255 ft.) and Chiefs Head Peak (13,579 ft.). With an elevation of 13,497 ft., Pagoda Mountain is the 7th highest ranked peak in The Park. It’s been said that Pagoda’s summit register (which we unfortunately couldn’t locate) may receive on average about 75 signatures a year, while its neighbor may receive that many visitors in one summer day.
Those in attendance on this cold, windy December day: myself, Emily and Brian. This would be Brian’s 1st 13er (we think…the jury is still out. We do know for sure that his 1st and only 14er to date was Quandary…. last month!). The phrase hazing may be an understatement. Emily quoted the trip nicely 10+ hours in, and still 4 miles from the jeep in freezing temps, when she said, “I’ve had a lot of epic days out on 14er’s, but this is definitely my 1st epic day on a 13er!” And so the story goes….
Mountain: Pagoda Mountain – Rocky Mountain National Park – Elevation 13,497 ft.
Date Climbed: December 14, 2013
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
Route: North East Ridge
Distance: ~ 14 miles
Elevation Gain: ~ 4,800 ft.
Participants: Dillon Sarnelli, Emily Hendrick, Brian Korpics
Time: ~ 12.5 hours
It was here, about half-way between Mills Lake and Black Lake, that we put on our snowshoes. There was a good solid trench all the way to Mills Lake, but beyond the lake, we’d do our own route finding to Black Lake.
Once at Black Lake, we hunkered down behind some large boulders to rest and refuel. As we thawed out, I popped my head out to get a good look at Black Lake and the route ahead. From here the route takes a sharp left eastward, through a small canyon of sorts, to the upper basin below Pagoda, Chiefs Head and The Spearhead. To our surprise, there were 2 skiers behind us. They were on their way to do some ice climbing just beyond Black Lake in an area called the Black Lake slabs. I don’t have any pictures of this area because my hands were frozen as we passed through, but Emily, being an ice climber herself, was in awe of all of the ice surrounding us.
Once past the Black Lake slabs, we made another sharp turn, this time south. From here we followed cairns all the way to Green Lake. Green Lake sits at the base of Pagoda Mountain…. about 2,000 ft below the summit!
Eat up, drink up. From here on out, you’re going to need all of your energy and every muscle. 2,000 ft in less than a mile. GO!!! In all honesty, having just gained 24 lbs over Thanksgiving, I was spent about half way up! Brian and Emily were both animals. I think the hazing joke was on me.
Once we reached the saddle, we finally got the reprieve from the wind we were hoping for. All that remained was a few hundred feet and a class 3 scramble to the the summit on Pagoda’s north east ridge. At this point the views were amazing all around, but it wasn’t until we hit the summit that we realized what we were in for.
Just below the summit (at approx 2 PM), we were finally able get a glimpse of what was happening in the clouds to our west. Without a doubt, the most amazing scenery I have ever experienced from any peak to date. The following are a few of our summit shots. It was truly an incredible day above the clouds.
Summit of Pagoda Mountain – Rocky Mountain National Park – Elevation 13,497 ft. – December 14, 2013:
The trek home was very long and very cold, but even if we had come back with a few less fingers and/or toes, we would have all agreed, it was well worth it. Brian, Emily, thanks for playing. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you both. Let’s get out there again soon!
THE END – Thanks for reading!
Dillon – nice way to make an entrance to the site buddy. Those cloud inversions were dreamy. I need to set up a Flickr account apparently, cause your blown up shots are top notch. Which one was better – Isolation or Pagoda? So many gems in that range.
Thanks Miller! I learn from the best. Which was better you ask… What do they say…Timing is everything! It was nice to have Pagoda and all of Glacier Gorge to ourselves. I think we’d always have Isolation to ourselves. Pagoda was a little shorter, but 2,000 ft of the gain is in the last half mile or so. Isolation, longer, less snow and a bit more gradual. Isolation wins for remoteness. Pagoda wins for its proximity to Longs and Co. Either way, Glacier Gorge or Wild Basin, whatever one chooses, it’s going to be an epic outing! The tiebreaker might be the Isolation Ale.
Dillon – I just got a chance to check out your pictures – you are amazing ! Be careful and these pictures are breathtaking.
Pat
Pat, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thanks for checking this out and commenting. It’s easy to take pictures in this amazing state. When you come visit, I’ll take you to all these spots. Bring Dr. Lee… Happy New Year! Talk to you next week.