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2027 Grenadiers
---------------

The absolute shortest hiking route to the summit
of Peak Six in the Grenadier Range -- and with no
deep, swift rivers to ford -- is had by beginning
at Elk Park, where one can unboard the train.

This 10-mile (one-way) hiking/climbing route to 
the summit of Peak Six is trailless the final 
7 miles and involves two very steep talus slopes 
up to two saddles that need to be negotiated 
along the way.

But it would allow me to shave several pounds from 
my approach pack.  It's a route I've considered 
many times over the years.

It would actually be doable as a one-day 20-mile
out-and-back with a day pack, even with the gross 
elevation gain of 8000'.  But I'll prefer something 
slower and to give myself the option for an additional 
summit while I'm in there.

I'd camp at the west end of Balsam Lake, which is 
just 8 miles (plus 4000' gross elevation gain) from 
my starting point.  I camped there in 1974, 1975 
and 1977, hiking in from the east, summiting 
Peak Six in 1975 and Storm King Peak in 1977.  

As with my 2025 exploration of Ten Mile Creek valley, 
I'd need to ride the narrow gauge train out of 
Durango -- unboarding at a spot called Elk Park 
(there's nothing there).



Bucky would not be able to come with on this one, 
but would need to spend just 3 nights at a boarder 
in the area.  Then he and I could explore other parts 
of the San Juans or the Sangre de Cristos together.



Two images of the approach to Peak Six

and an image of the climb up to the summit:



Viewed from the east




Viewed from the west




The summit climb from camp




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