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Date: 12 May
Peak: Mt Bancroft (13,250)
Length: 6.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
Route: East Bowl (for lack of a better name)

Left Colorado Springs at 5:45 and got to the Alice parking on Stewart Road at 7:45. The road was snow covered as far as I could see, so I started skinning. 10 minutes later, the road was snow-free in most spots, so the board went on the back until I finally hit continuous snow at about 11,000 feet. On the way, I could see Mt Eva and Witter Peak. Sorry, no riding shots as I was solo.

Mt Eva from the road:


Just below Loch Lomond, views of Bancroft and the bowl finally appeared:


I was able to skin almost continously to the summit, except for a deadend in a talus field on the ridge. Once I hit the summit about 10:30 views were great in all directions.

Here's Mt Evans and Bierstadt:


The familiar shapes of Grays, Torreys, and surrounding peaks:


Parry Peak from the summit:


Current Creek drainage (in shadow) and other Berthoud Pass terrain:


James Peak and the Indian Peaks:


It was nice having the whole peak to myself, especially watching numerous large groups work their way up James slopes above St Mary's Glacier. I didn't pass a single person the entire day, though there were fresh tracks (maybe a day old) from a pair of skiers.

I was a little late in the day, so the top half was a bit softer than I would have liked, and the bottom half was quite sloppy. Tracks from above Lake Caroline, I'm responsible for the looker's left:


There were a couple of recent releases above Lake Caroline as well that ran out on to the lake:



The Cirque below James' gentle slopes hold some potential:



After the pitch from Lake Caroline down to the shores of Loch Lomond, transitioned back to skis for the very gradual ski back to the road. Then it was time to hike back down to the car.

Looking back up to James Peak while skiing on the shore of Loch Lomond:


Overall great day, but was just a little late overall, so the bottom half was pretty sloppy. Got back to the car about 12:30. Now on to Democrat this Tuesday.

Right on, man. Thanks for posting.