I habr done this enjoyable route several times over the years, and when it was suggested by Jordan Holquist, an up-and-coming leader in training in the Boulder Group, as a trip to satisfy a trip leader requirement for his requirements to become a CMC trip leader, I readily agreed. To get to the ranked summit by the standard route, you will need to go over the unranked, south summit. After the last Class 4 section, which was a smooth 8-foot high inclined wall, it was 10:30. James Peak (left) and Mt. (James Peak Wilderness) I was about 3/4 of the way to North Arapaho Peak, but the weather situation had worsened in the intervening half hour. Start northwest from South Arapaho and descend slightly. North Arapaho Peak wind forecast. Looking across the grand glacial abyss at today’s objectives, South Arapaho Peak second from left, and the broad North Arapaho Peak on the right. It will take at least an hour each way to traverse. Upper Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness. West ridge of Mt Spalding and Summit Lake. South Arapaho Peak is a relatively easy Class 1 to Class 2 ascent on trail almost all the way. Looking west towards South (left) and North Arapaho Peaks above the Arapaho Glacier from Old Baldy. Bancroft (right) on the approach to Parry Peak on the Pfiffner Traverse. For a classic alpine scramble with a minimal approach, the North-South Arapaho Peak traverse is hard to beat. Arapaho Glacier and South Arapaho Peak - 7.9 Miles Round-Trip Arapaho Glacier is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness between South Arapaho Peak (13,397') and North Arapaho Peak (13,502'). Looking north along the continental divide from North Arapaho Peak (Indian Peaks Wilderness). I was thinking about doing South Arapaho again but the weather looked iffy so at worst I could explore the smaller mountains to the East of South Arapaho. If you're lucky enough to get a parking spot near the Fourth of July trailhead, navigate your way to the obvious start of the Arapaho Pass Trail, and head along the wooded, northern slope of the North Fork, Middle Boulder Creek drainage into the Indian Peaks Wilderness.It eventually intersects with the Diamond Lake Trail #975 before continuing onto the Fourth of July Mine (elevation 11,245 feet). Imagine the glacier below twice as big as this–that was how it was one hundred years ago: The traverse between the two goes mostly Class 2 with maybe three, very short, Class 3+ to Class 4 cruxes. This route description is to be combined with North Arapaho Peak. Both summits are a popular weekend hike for Front Range residents. Taken from summit of Mt Evans. The highest point in the area is North Arapaho Peak, which tops out at an elevation of 4115m – as you may imagine, the views here will take your breath away. From the saddle at 12,700', leave the Arapaho Glacier Trail and scramble the remaining 700' over class 2 boulders up the southeast slopes of South Arapaho Peak (13,400'). Make sure the weather looks good and you feel focused for some high-altitude climbing. The summit of North Arapaho Peak is a big flat area after the technical climbing , only 100 feet higher than South Arapaho Peak when all is done. From the summit, follow the obvious connecting ridge to North Arapaho Peak. Hike Tip(s): When hiking North Arapaho Peak & South Arapaho peak, be sure to check out the weather to the west before heading over on the traverse. Once you are on the ridge line there is a ton of exposure to weather and no place to hide if a storm does roll in. That summit is the only ranked summit of the two Arapaho Peaks. Detailed wind speed and wind direction information as well as interactive graphs for winds Thick, dark clouds were massing on the next range to the … This remarkable region is known for its unusual flora and fauna, including many stunted trees and alpine plants that have learned how to survive in the stark conditions of the alpine tundra.