Outpost Peak in the Gore Range

Mountain climbing encourages brutally honest thinking about God and self, which is important to keep in mind if one doesn’t want to be brainwashed by our selfish, defiant, arrogant culture that seems to have a superabundance of preening blowhards and pompous asses. – Fred Askins
“Outpost Peak” – 12,362 feet This artistically named peak balances on the ridge between Booth Creek and Pitkin Creek, and you can climb it from either drainage as a day trip. Easy by Gore Range standards, the steep-sided peak is still aptly armed. Like most peaks that nestle near giants, Outpost provides pervasive views.
	The northeast face of “Outpost Peak” posing above the Pitkin Creek drainage Gerry took this photo on 6/9/04
	Booth Creek Falls Gerry took this photo on 6/28/06
	The west face of “Outpost Peak” from 10,300 feet on the Booth Creek Trail The route ascends the steep avalanche chute just right of center For a gentler route, climb up farther to the south (right) Gerry took this photo on 6/28/06
	Jennifer ascending the avalanche chute You can see the Booth Creek Trail below Gerry took this photo on 6/28/06
	Just below the summit Jennifer took this photo on 6/28/06
	Jennifer on the summit flanked by West (L) and East Partner Peaks Gerry took this photo on 6/28/06
USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Vail East West Face – 7.0 miles RT, 3,942 feet net, 4,000 feet total, Class 2
This is the most expedient route up “Outpost Peak.” Start at the Booth Creek Trailhead at 8,420 feet, and hike north up the excellent Booth Creek Trail. Enter the Eagles Nest Wilderness shortly after leaving the trailhead, cross a side creek after 1.1 miles, and reach Booth Creek Falls after 1.8 miles, where you can take a few strides west from the trail to see the falls. Continue north up the trail, and reach an open meadow at 10,300 feet, 2.6 miles from the trailhead. Leave the trail where it crosses a miniscule saddle between a bump to the west and the steep, soaring west face of “Outpost Peak” to the east. Climb east up a steepening, grassy avalanche path through dwindling trees, and reach much gentler slopes at 11,300 feet on the southwest ridge of “Outpost Peak.” Turn northeast (left) and stroll up an undulating, sanguine half-mile to the summit. If the weather is fine, you can spend a long time on this summit identifying Gore Range summits. You can also see Mount of the Holy Cross to the southwest.
Variation
If the avalanche slope is too steep for your comfort, hike up slopes farther to the south.

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