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Details

This will be a challenging trip—but it’s designed for anyone who wants to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado, camp in the high country, and summit a 14er.

My goal is for 100% of participants to reach the top of Mt. Antero. The itinerary is intentionally built to maximize your chances of success, with time to acclimatize before summit morning—and we still have five months to prepare. You’ll need to put in the training and effort, but if you do, this plan sets you up well.

I’ve also structured the trip to be budget-friendly so cost isn’t a barrier. There will be a lot of windshield time, but it will be well worth it. If needed, some in our group have extra gear that you can borrow for this trip.

To join this trip, you must be an active Austin Mountaineers member, have attended one of our previous trips, or commit to training consistently with us on our weekly Saturday conditioning hikes. For the safety of the group, the event host will make the final decision on who can attend. You will also need to join our Austin Mountaineers WhatsApp group, which is how we will be discussing trip details as it gets closer.

Cost: Covers hotels and fuel for vehicles.
Driver (using own vehicle): $75
Passenger: $150
(If we don't end up having enough drivers for our group size, we'll all share the cost of adding a rental vehicle or two, but it shouldn't increase the cost that much overall.)

You will be responsible for your food, snacks and meals.

Itinerary:

June 17th, Wednesday
Leave Carl’s house in Cedar Park at 2:30pm – Arrive to Lubbock hotel around 8:30pm (6 hrs, 350 miles)
Stay at: Baymont by Wyndham Lubbock, 5410 Interstate 27, Lubbock, TX 79404 (Double-queen rooms, 4 person each)

June 18th, Thursday
Leave hotel at 5:30am – Arrive to campground around 3:30pm (10 hrs, 550 miles)
Stop in Salida, CO for lunch, and to pick up water and last-minute items at Walmart.
Camp at Twin Lakes (Free with incredible views!)
For map purposes: South Mount Elbert Trail, Twin Lakes, CO 81251 (We’ll stay about 1 mile past this trailhead.)
Twin Lakes is a pair of glacier-carved alpine lakes about 15 miles south of historic Leadville, Colorado. There are campsites closer to our trailhead, but not with this view!
Setup camp and then take a 30-minute drive to the famous Independence Pass, Colorado for some incredible views.

June 19th, Friday
Drive to Browns Creek Trailhead (1hr 5min, 43 miles).
Hike to Browns Creek Falls, and then on to Browns Lake (7 miles, 2400 ft of elevation gain.)
Leave Twin Lakes campground at 5:30am – Arrive to Browns Creek Trailhead around 6:45am
Start hiking by 7:30-8:00am (We need to be to the parking lot early because it fills up fast but don't have to be in a hurry to start hiking.)
Setup camp at the far (west) end of Browns Lake.
Elevation Gain: 2,400-ft
Difficulty: moderate-strenuous
Elevation: 8,920-ft. - 11,320-ft

June 20th, Saturday
Start early and hike from camp at Browns Lake to the summit of Mt Antero (5.5 mi, Elevation 14271-ft)
Elevation Gain from Browns Lake: 2,950-ft

Once summiting and back to our camp at Browns Lake, we'll pack up our gear and hike back to the trailhead. This will be a long day, but downhill all the way after we summit.
We’ll grab a late lunch/early dinner in Salida, CO on our way to Raton, NM.
Drive to Raton, NM to stay at the Robin Hood Motel for the night. (3.5 hrs, 185 miles)
Robin Hood Motel, 1354 S 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740 (Double-queen rooms, 4 person each)

June 21st, Sunday
Leave hotel at 5:30am. Arrive back in Austin around 5:30pm.

For those of you that are faster, you can also climb Cronin Peak, a nearby, high 13er. https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=13622

Or for those of you that have already done Mt Antero, you can do a non-standard route from Browns Lake to bag Mt Shavano and Tabeguache Peak that doesn't require you to climb Shavano twice.

For those of you willing to drive your own vehicle, and take 3 passengers, you will not pay for fuel or tolls. That cost will be shared among the other attendees. We would like to have 4 persons per vehicle to maximize cost savings.

Cancellation policy: If you will not be able to make the trip, please be considerate and change your RSVP to "not going" as soon as you know so that someone else will have a chance to attend.

# Event Waiver and Release of Liability #

By confirming your attendance (RSVP) to this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

  1. Assumption of Risk: You voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in this event, including but not limited to risks of bodily injury, property damage, or other losses that may occur during the event. You understand that the event may involve physical activities, such as hiking or other outdoor pursuits, which carry inherent risks.
  2. Personal Responsibility: You accept sole responsibility for your own health, safety, and well-being, as well as that of any guests you may bring to the event. If you or your guests are unwilling to accept this responsibility, you are advised not to RSVP or participate in the event.
  3. Non-Professional Guidance: The event hosts, organizers, and facilitators are not professional guides or trained personnel. They do not assume any responsibility or liability for your safety, health, or conduct during the event.
  4. Release of Liability: By participating in this event, you hereby release and discharge the event hosts, organizers, and any affiliated individuals or entities from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by you or your guests during or as a result of participating in this event.

This event is a voluntary gathering of individuals with shared interests engaging in recreational activities. By RSVPing, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this waiver.

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