Gold Dust Peak is a mountain you won't find in any guidebook. Despite its location in the Northern Sawatch range and proximity to the Vail Valley, little information existed on this 13er (at least within the usual climbing communities online).
Gold Dust Peak from Negro Basin:
With a topo map and compass to guide us, we followed the defined trail up towards Lake Charles before bushwhacking up a cliff-strewn basin towards the base of the peak. Ankle- to thigh-deep snow slowed us at times, but we pushed on towards our target. At the base of the peak, we decided to climb a mellow couloir, then traverse through chilly winds to a spectacular summit where a corniced ridge overhangs the steep north face.
Brandon and the dogs (Rainier and Kona) start the couloir climbing:
Bridget and I near the couloir's end (Photo - Brandon C):
Gold Dust Peak (13,365 feet) with Mount of the Holy Cross looming over my right arm(Photo - J W):
The views from Gold Dust included Holy Cross to the east, Elk Range and Aspen ski resorts to the south, and this one to the north:
New York and Finnegan Peaks (Photo - Brandon C):
Despite easy access and spectacular views, Gold Dust doesn't see much traffic as we were among only a few groups to sign the summit register over the past year, including the first since August. While I've enjoyed climbing the 14ers in Colorado for the past five years, I probably get an even greater thrill from exploring new areas and less-trodden peaks. I expect more of these adventures to come after I close out my final five 14ers next spring/summer.
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