Just a note that in order to conserve much needed energy for the hike, those that want to car pool please meet at the S Turkey Creek RTD Park N Ride on US Hwy 285 located just a few mile south of the C-470 + Hwy 285 Interchange at 0730 AM. I have room for 3 adults or 2 adults + 1 dog or 1 adult + 2 dogs in my truck! ~ Zulu 720-202-2170

See you at the Park N Ride....can't wait!

Is anyone coming from downtown Denver? I don't have a car and it looks like buses only run down to that Park N Ride on weekdays.

Thanks!

Beth - if no one pipes up I can pick you up. I am 10 min west of downtown. Zulu

For new-bees, I will post here soon some tips and advice for 14ers in general, and especially the time of year for this hike as the weather could be relatively warm and sunny at the trailhead, and cold, windy and snowy up top!

Just a qualifier about this planned excursion to Mt Sherman on April 28th...as most of you who know Colorado and have done 14'ers this is an aggressively early date to do a climb. The weather and conditions could be unacceptable (risk vs reward). So, I will be monitoring conditions and doing some recon the 3rd week of April and declare a "go - no go" then. Stay tuned! ~ Zulu

Beth- I will be coming from Colorado and Evens. Let me know. And anyone else who wants a ride from Denver. Peace!

Anyone attending from the Broomfield area, and want to carpool?

Can you all feel spring in the air today? Woo Hoo! Well we still have plenty of snow ahead but I like to dream! ZULU

I'll be coming from Littleton, if anyone wants to ride together! Looking forward to it!

Wow this event is going viral! Woo hoo! Hoping mother nature lets us do an early season ascent. 70's all this week makes me feel too confident!

FIFTY people are going? doesn't that seem a bit excessive and hard on the trail?

Dan. Fair point and I would add that traditionally less than 50% of people who sign up for Meetup events actually attend come the day, and over the course of a summer our 20-30 pairs of feet on the trail will be but a drop in the water with the couple thousand that will climb Sherman

Per email sent today, I am unable to lead this event due to conflicts (sincere apologies). I have opened the event for all to edit in hopes that many of you will still go and perhaps one of you will step up as the organizer for the day!

Do you mean you can't lead the warm-up..or you can't lead the hike up Mt. Sherman? I'm hoping it's the former.

This group rocks! I have had 3 people offer to lead on 4/28 in my stead should I not be able to make it (and even if I can)! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!. I am hoping that I will be able to work things out but it is good to know that it appears the show can go on even if I can't! More information to come! ZULU

Zulu - please answer a couple of questions for us newbies. 1) If we hit the trailhead by 1000, roughly what time do you predict that we would be back to Fairplay? 2) What type of gear/essentials would you list as mandatory for this climb at this time of year? 3) I am in Highlands Ranch/Littteton and interested in catching a ride with someone, so for anyone looking to split some gas money and has room please let me know - thanks!

All - I am looking at the forecast. Looks like we have weather coming in this week. Rain in front range and snow in high country at the end of the week / weekend (?). So this event will be declared a go/no-go 24-48 hours prior. Decide for yourself if that is too short of a notice for some of your plans.

Regarding Dennis's questions above, our climb time would be 10-3 ish. Yes this not normal climb times for 14ers as we all know (normally 8-1) but Colorado summer storm patterns are not high risk in April. Gear? - snowshoes, water-proof hiking shoes, pants, top, hat, gloves, food, water, layers for temps from 20s to 50s, sunscreen, basic meds/first aid, headlamps, mirror, etc etc.

which parking lot we meet to carpool?

Twin Forks RTD Park N Ride. 10 minutes south on 285 from C470. 6154 US Hwy 285. Near South Turkey Creek. http://maps.yahoo.com/#q1=19300+Goddard+Ranch+Ct%2C+Morri...

I am pretty close to the light rail station on Colorado and 25. I have space for three and stuff. Let me know if you want in.
Have a great day.
drew
Hope in for a GO!

Fairplay Weather forecast. 20% chance of showers on Sat....which is always 100% when it is raining on you. Will see in 48 hours what changes in the forecast. http://local.msn.com/ten-day.aspx?zip=80440&q=Fairpla...

Sorry all...I have a funeral for a brother firefighter to attend so I can't make it. I hope many of you still go. Forecast seems to be improving but still could be wet at times. There are snowfields in play (see Colorado Canine Adventure Group that went last wknd). 3 people in this group offered to coordinate and am hoping they still will. Car pool from RTD Twin Forks Park n Ride on Hwy 285 or from town of Fairplay. Turn right on CR 18 off 285 1 mile S of Fairplay and go 10+ mi to TH

If anyone would like to carpool from Broomfield, let me know.

Since Zulu is not able to lead this, are the "3 people" going to coordinate this? If the parking lot is the one I am thinking of, there may be room left for perhaps a dozen cars by 10 AM. Some of us in the foothills would go directly to Fairplay and meet at Java Moose or the TH. Per latest weather reports, it indicates rain and snow 20% for Saturday, which means temps way below freezing at summit. Zulu's comments about carrying the right gear and being prepared is prudent for this hike.

I can take people to Java Moose, but I can't give you a ride back because I will be heading down to Buena Vista. But if that works, let me know.

Is anyone coming from the downtown Denver area that I could carpool with? I'm happy to meet anywhere near downtown and chip in for gas!
Thanks!

Hey Beth I am by Dave and Busters on Colorado and I25. You can totally ride up with me and there is room for 2 more. Let me know.

Hey Drew/Beth, can I ride w/ you guys? My cell is 720-939-8996. Send me a text for a good mtg spot. Thanks ! Marc

Hey Drew/Beth/Marc, plus one more? Let me know.
Thanks! Matt 303-808-6351.

High of 45 in Fairplay tommorow.... dress warm!

Here is the forecast for the Sherman.
A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a west wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/weather.php?ltype=1#

Layers are going to be very important, be certain to have one that is waterproof and be sure to bring enough water and food.

To whomever is coordinating-assuming meeting place and time still as originally planned?

Yes, as planned.
For clarification there are 3 meet time and locations.
S Turkey Creek RTD Park N Ride - meet at 7:30am - leave by 7:40
Java Moose in Fairplay - meet at 9am - leave by 9:30
Mt Sherman trail head - meet at 10am - leave when we are done

I'll be at the Park'n'Ride, driving a Saturn Ion with a Meetup sign off the back bike rack.

Unfortunately this group is a little large to coordinate who is going to meet where, so basically be sure you are there by the leave time.

I am leaving from Littleton and have room for 3 if anyone is interested!

I will be leaving from Aurora. I can either car pool with someone or if there are folks leaving from this part of the town, they are welcome to carpool with me. (Trying to minimize the number of cars driving to the trail head)

Hey Jessica. do you have any space in your car. I'm coming from highlands ranch

Jessica - I live in Highlands Ranch and was wondering if I could ride with you - would that work? Where would you like me to meet you?

Im so sorry guys, it looks like my plans have changed... I will be coming from another direction. Hope to see you there!

Brandon and myself will be leading the trip tomorrow. Due to limited parking spaces at the trailhead, please try to meet at either the Park n Ride or Java Moose (as these will be consolidation points, to reduce the amount of vehicles at the trailhead). If you have any questions or need to contact us, call 608-239-7624 (Brandon) or 317-430-4609 (myself).

Lauren and Brandon - on behalf of the others THANK YOU for taking the lead! I am so glad that you and some others made it up and I hope it was a great day!