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Aug 14, 2023 — Precipice Peak is summit along the north to south trending Dike Ridge, though the peaks in this vicinity are all referred to as being part of the Cimarron Range. This area is overwhelmingly unique, with its volcanic eroded pinnacles and bright, colorful summits that compose some of the tallest elevations in the San Juan Mountains. Located close to Delta CO, their inspiring forms are clearly visible from civilization, but this peak doesn't see as much traffic as you'd think it would, therefore the route is much harder to follow than I anticipated it would be. I hadn't been out here since Coxcomb Peak a few years ago, and I'm finding I am always happy to come back to the area. The hike begins at the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead within the basin housing the West Fork Cimarron River, but I couldn't make it there in my vehicle. If you don't have a high clearance you'll need to start where I did, but any car can make it to that point. The hike along the 4WD road was beautiful, providing a glimpse toward Precipice Peak as well as Courthouse Mountain, which I did later in the day.
Once I reached the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead, the easy walking was over. I headed directly east on rocky ground, quickly locating a nearly-nonexistent mining road. I followed this as best I could toward a pleasantly flowing stream, the road narrowing into a faint social trail that began gaining elevation more quickly. Paying careful attention, I managed to stay on course even as it darted away from the creek and ascended at a very steep grade up a forested slope. Losing the trail was inevitable since animals have carved many options into the ground, leaving me to ascend a dirty slope that had me using all fours. I located the social trail again as it led through the forest, then through a short spurt of tundra, and then more forest.
I emerged above tree line into a talus-riddled tundra slope. Keeping to the right of the talus made hiking easier. There's a key Class 2 weakness I headed toward, since veering too far left would take me to a low cliff band and too far right below would dump me onto an impassable face. The slope steepened, and various social trails weaved through the thickening talus/scree up to the weakness. Above the weakness was a slanted headwall that I wrapped around on its right, now on lumpy tundra with small drainages to hop in and out of for a few hundred feet. My next goal was the ridgline above, but 500 feet or so of steep tundra came first. On my left was my first glimpse of the eroded volcanic remnants that make Precipice Peak so special.
A short section of Class 2 brought me to the crest, where the social trail picked up again and led to a notch between two pinnacles. Class 2+ took me through this notch and onto a pebble-covered grassy incline and back to the ridge. I was awed by a variety of unique volcanic features. The eastern slope below was entirely filled with them and the ridgeline was a sheet of white with embedded boulders. Continuing the ascent I passed a Class 2+ move to overcome a small cliff band, but otherwise it was just a stroll on loose terrain. Gorgeous colors surrounded me in every direction.
I reached a false summit, but a point just east was slightly higher and the trail led to it. Dunsinane Mountain and Courthouse Mountain were prominently visible to the north and northwest, and Uncompahgre Peak and Wetterhorn Peak to the distant south.
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