MT. EDWARDS
13,850 ft.
August 8, 2002
By Tim Briese
My daughter Nicole and I went on an outing together into the mountains one day in early August. Her primary interest was four-wheeling, while mine was climbing a mountain. We drove up the Guanella Pass Road about three miles and then turned onto the Leavenworth Creek Road and four-wheeled six miles up to the old Waldorf Mine at 11,600 feet. This four wheel route was a little rough over the first mile, but was quite easy the rest of the way. We drove about a quarter of a mile past the mine and parked near a little stream that came down from Edward’s east slopes.
Nicole didn’t feel much like hiking, but decided to accompany me part way up the mountain anyway. We left the trailhead about 9 a.m. and bushwhacked along the north side of the stream around willows into a basin above, passing fields of purple flowers and patches of bright green moss in wet areas along the way. Our lab Jorie ran all about exploring with her keen nose close to the ground. A few raindrops sprinkled down on us at first, but the sky soon cleared off. When we reached the upper part of the basin the terrain steepened considerably, and Nicole decided that she had gotten enough of a workout and decided to stay behind and rest in the meadow at about 12,300 feet while I pushed on ahead.
Jorie and I rapidly climbed upward on the grassy slope above. I noticed a tiny white object far above on what appeared to be the summit. At first I thought it was a tall cairn, but as we gradually approached I realized that it was a mountain goat observing our progress. As I climbed higher I saw the 13,420 foot saddle between Edwards and McClellan Mountain (13,587') off to the right, and observed a herd of 20 or 30 goats grazing on the upper slopes of McClellan about a half mile away.
In relatively short order I reached the top of the long grassy slope and saw the summit about a hundred yards away, just slightly higher than where I stood. Jorie and the goat stood facing each other, about seventy-five feet apart, and neither flinched. I did not want my dog to chase the goat so I called her off, then strolled the last few feet to the summit.
At 10:45 I stepped on top, an hour after I had left Nicole in the meadow below. I was greeted by a spectacular view of Grays and Torreys Peaks off to the west. There was a fine view, too, of the Stevens Gulch approach to Grays in the valley far below, and the rugged cliffs below McClellan Mountain. To the southeast lay Mt. Evans and Mt. Bierstadt, and a short distance to the south were Argentine Peak (13,735') and Square Top Mountain (13,794'). It was so good to be on a summit again, enjoying the grandeur all around! I could have easily stayed there an hour or more, soaking up the inspiration and beauty from this fine vantage point, but I didn’t want to leave Nicole waiting too long. I noticed in the summit register that about 100 people had signed in so far this year, making Edwards a more popular destination than many 13ers I have climbed, but still far less visited than the 14ers. Neighboring Grays Peak often sees far more than 100 visitors on a single day!
After twenty minutes on top I began my descent, and soon stopped to look at the goat again. He was still standing in the same place. Jorie stood and faced him again, then started slowly slinking toward him. The goat flinched and the game was over. The dog ran growling toward him and he abruptly disappeared over the edge of the ridge into a cliffy area below. Jorie looked puzzled by his instantaneous disappearance. The goat was completely at home here in his rocky element, facing virtually no danger from predators, just minor inconveniences like this skirmish with my dog.
I rapidly hiked back down the grassy slope and rejoined Nicole in the meadow forty minutes later. We ate lunch together there before continuing on down to our 4-Runner, where we arrived just after noon. From the trailhead we four-wheeled on up the road to Argentine Pass at 13,200 feet, and enjoyed fine views of the surrounding alpine terrain as dark rain clouds began to move in.
My climb of Edwards from the Waldorf Mine was one of the easiest climbs of a high peak I have ever done. It entailed only about 2200 feet of elevation gain in a roundtrip distance of only three miles. It was little more than a stroll compared to most climbs I have done. In spite of its ease, though, the climb took me to a fine summit with excellent views that I thoroughly enjoyed.
