Hike Kendall Mountain, Mountaineer Peak, Mount Rhoda Loop San Juan National Forest, CO

Aug 10, 2021 — This really beautiful traverse just outside of Silverton, Colorado that leads from Kendall Benchmark over to unnamed 13er Peak 13109 creates almost a perfect loop, if not for a couple of hiccups. Although a great day out in the mountains, there are some contrived sections that might deter many people so I'll summarize them quickly and present alternatives. Reaching Kendall Peak from Kendall Mountain requiers dropping all the way down rather than sticking to the ridge because the traverse between the two is likely not doable. There is also a horrible gully required to reach Kendall Peak, which I marked on my attached map because it was an outlier for the day and might serve as a day-ender for some. However, this seems to be a pretty standard route for getting all these peaks in one go, so I didn't feel too upset about forming a somewhat weird link-up. Rather than do this loop, you could instead break it up into two sections. The first would include Kendall Benchmark and Kendall Mountain as a small loop. The second would come up from Highland Mary Lakes Trailhead and would make its way up toward Spencer Peak, over to Kendall Peak, then does the same traverse outlined here to Peak 13109 before using the trail system to get back. In hindsight I kind of wish I did it this way to avoid the horrible gully and make a less-contrived route, but I was excited to knock all these peaks out in one go, plus the descent had some gorgeous views. Overall it was a worthwhile and wonderful loop, but I just wish the gully was better.

That all said, I was able to drive my Crossover to the spot where I parked. I'd say anything with decent tires and clearance can make it to where I did since the road is rocky and at times a little steep, but 4WD isn't necessary. I parked where I did because it was located at the junction where I'd complete the loop. I started north first along the road and was immediately passed by a couple of ATVs, and I assume they were driving up to Kendall Benchmark, where I'd be hiking to. I could have followed the road the whole way in the dust of the ATVs, but that would have added lots of extra miles, so instead I left the road and ascended the steep and grassy slope for 1200 feet of vertical gain and rejoined the road above. Once at the base of Kendall Benchmark I located a social trail (Class 2) on the peak's east ridge, leading to the summit. The views down toward Silverton were nice and the Grenadiers and Twilights were a lovely sight from here. I dropped back along the east ridge to get back to the road and continued east to Kendall Mountain. The terrain began grassy and pleasant, but quickly turned steeper and more loose. The last few hundred feet along the ridge were Class 2 on somewhat loose scree, and I got a bit of vertigo when looking down at the drop on my left. This section is short-lived and a social trail leads most of the way up the scree and to the summit.

The view from Kendall Mountain's summit toward Kendall Peak tempted me to try the traverse, but I knew it wasn't a great idea and instead just dropped down the steep, grassy slope to the road below. I followed the old road east as it made its way to the base of Kendall Peak. I noted the massive notch separating Kendall Mountain and Kendall Peak and knew it was a good choice to not attempt it. It was a bummer to have to drop down so far only to regain the vertical, but that's peakbagging for you! I made it to the base of Kendall Peak, where an old mine has been covered up and next to it is an incredibly steep scree fest. I had no idea what to expect, but it wasn't this. I started up the eroded slope on Class 2, which soon became Class 3. After a hundred feet or so I was sure the gully was almost over, but it was just getting started. I couldn't believe how scary it was, even though a slip would likely result in just sliding for a couple of feet. It's just felt very exposed and loose. I'll call it Class 4, though others may disgree. There were no climbing moves, but it's a little scary and quite exhausting. Without this slope, the whole loop would have been just a Class 2 outing. There were no solid rocks to grab onto, so I found myself digging my hands and feet into the scree and hoping it didn't trigger a rockslide. The gully is steeper in some sections, and easier in others. There is more scree to use for digging my limbs into, and other spots where it was hardpan. After a grueling 500 feet of vertical gain and ample rests to compose myself, I made it to the top of the gully and onto the grassy ridgeline to the east of Kendall Peak. My adrenaline finally fading, I found myself drained. I finished up the easy hike to the summit of Kendall Peak.

The ridge leading from Kendall Peak down to its saddle with Spencer Peak was straightforward tundra with a short Class 2 section. At the base of Specer Peak, whose northwest ridge looks insane, I was happy to locate a social trail wrapping around the peak's north side and over to its east ridge. From afar this social trail looks simple and pleasant, but I got a little spooked while hiking along it. Heavily eroded, this social trail teeters above a very steep and aggressive slope on the left side. Despite being a social trail, it required some thought and slower movements to avoid slipping down, Class 2.

Once on the east ridge of Spencer Peak, the tough stuff for the day is over. If coming up from Highland Mary Lakes (and if you do please let me know; I'm curious how a route from there would go!), this is where you'd join the ridgeline. I started up steep tundra, and then easy Class 2 to reach Spencer Peak's summit, continuing on mostly tundra over Mountaineer Peak and then over to Mount Rhoda. Mount Rhoda has a serious-looking summit block protected by a cliff band, but the cliff band is easily avoided by wrapping around to Mount Rhoda's south side. The views toward the unique Grenadier Range in the distance, specifically of Arrow Peak and Vestal Peak from here were delightful.

The ridgeline continued to be pretty straightforward tundra walking, passing over Whitehead Peak and up to Peak 13109. The east ridge leading to Peak 13109 even had an animal trail most of the way up. Just before Peak 13109's summit, a short catwalk (Class 2) introduced a tiny bit of exposure, but it's short-lived and actually just a really cool feature.

I took in the views from Peak 13109 for a while before continuing down its southwest slope, my goal being to join the Whitehead Trail below. The grassy slope made for a quick descent to the trail. Th Whitehead Trail leads into the Higland Mary Lakes area to the east, but I took the trail west, wrapping around the extended west ridge of Peak 13109. The views continued to be amazing as the trail started descending to the north. I also got a glance at the full traverse I just finished. Eventually the trail ends at a Private Property sign, which reads that hiking is fine. A followed the forest road for a few miles back to my car.