LoJ: #532 (Pre-LiDAR #528) / 13,145' "Jackass Point" Formerly UN 13145

UN13,145 (Jackass Pt.) is the third summit in a sequence with Wasatch Mtn. and La Junta Peak, all on the east side of Bridal Veil Basin. One-way mileage and elevation gain for Jackass are measured from the La Junta summit.

From the summit of La Junta, descend the NNW ridge of the peak down to the connecting saddle with UN13,145. The descent is mostly on tundra with a minor cliff band that's easily avoided. At the saddle, continue straight north to the summit of UN13,145 over tundra with chiprock at the summit. This entire traverse is really Class 1 terrain but we give this peak an overall Class 2 rating because of some of the difficulties in finding your way back down through Jackass Basin and into the lower section of Bridal Veil Basin and the trailhead.

To descend, go back some toward the Jackass/La Junta saddle and then drop east into Jackass Basin. As you descend, you'll enter into lower flanks of the peak covered in a beautiful array of wildflowers with a lot of orange paintbrush mixed in. Once in the basin, hike NE, staying on the north side of the basin to avoid swampy areas filled with plentiful Marsh Marigolds. At the east end of the basin, locate the remains of an old cabin, probably much more deteriorated now than when we passed by in 1996. From the cabin, we were able to locate the old mining trail that shows on the USGS map that comes up out of Bridal Veil Basin. Follow this trail down to the best of your ability. With all the overgrown vegetation, it's easy to lose at times. We had little difficulty in finding the trail into Silver Lake Basin at Pt. 11,146, but after that we lost the trail for quite a while until we neared the bottom and Bridal Veil Creek. Make the best of it and thrash your way through. At least you can see where to go. Once back on the Bridal Veil Basin trail, walk easily back to your vehicle. The entire loop of three summits can be completed in about 7 hours or less.

Alternate Route for UN13,145 alone: We did this hike in 2013. From the main street in town, (Colorado), turn south onto Pine and drive about 4 blocks south to the parking area for the Bear Creek trail, which begins behind some condominiums. This is a very popular summer hiking route. Parking is very limited around here. Hike across the creek on a bridge and begin the trek into Bear Creek canyon on a wide, old roadbed. Continue walking south for about 1.75 miles to an open area where you should see a trail heading off to the left and down to the creek. Lots of people often stop in this area. Find a way to cross the creek and then get to the north edge of an avalanche chute that tumbles down to the creek from La Junta Basin. This chute is very visible from the Bear Creek Trail. As you head up along the chute, you should pick up a trail that continues climbing along the northern edge of the chute on numerous switchbacks. About 1,200 feet up, the trail will cut through some cliffs making for some dramatic trail shots and then will contour around the basin over some difficult talus sections, cross the creek and head up through low willows to a moderate bench area at 11,600 ft. At or slightly above 12,000 ft., break off from the main trail that continues to the Wasatch/La Junta saddle and follow some old roadbeds as they climb up toward the La Junta/Jackass saddle. Wherever you like, leave the old roads and walk through verdant tundra to the saddle, then turn north for your finish. Because there is more elevation gain to this route and greater mileage, it would not be suitable for younger children. Best for middle school age and up. Overall distance is about 8 miles round trip with 4,400 feet of gain and we rate this as Class 2+ because of the steepness of the ascent out of bear Creek. Plan on around 6 hours.