Jim Creek Hike

For 14 members of the High Country Hiker group, it was a pleasant surprise to step off the bus at near 10 a.m., and feel the coolness of the Colorado mountains.  Forecasts were calling for high temperatures of 79 to 84 degrees in Denver.  That of course translates up to 20 degrees lower norms in the back country.

A pit stop had been  made on the way to the TH (9,177') so that meant hikers would be on trail within minutes after arriving.  Trail begins with a lengthy boardwalk leading hikers across an area of wetlands.  Trail next becomes a jeep road for a short distance taking us by a campground before narrowing to a traditional mountain path into Arapaho National Forest, and the James Peak Protection Area.

Jim Creek.

This trail is considered moderate in terms of hiking difficulty.  If I were to consider the number of exposed roots, and rocks, mountain springs running across trail, and the number of times I caught a toe or pole on a knarly root or crevice in a rock, I would rate it extremely knarly...otherwise bothersome.


By knarly I mean trail is continuously forcing you to decide where to place your next step.  Where to plant your poles.  It's a trail that forces you to concentrate on virtually every step you take to ensure you don't find yourself with a face plant in mud, looking at a bloody shin, or nasty gash in a forearm.  There was plenty of opportunity for that today.

Slopes are littered with bolders and downed trees.

Nonetheless, there was no shortage of beautiful scenery on this hike if you took the time to stop at clearings or simply look through the trees.  To the left, at about eleven o'clock, Rogers Pass can be seen at 11,860' el.  To the right of the pass and directly in front of us today is James Peak itself at a lofty 13,294'.

The Continental Divide trudges along that ridge line between the two points, then continuing south into Mexico and north into Canada.  The Divide is also the western boundary of the James Peak Wilderness Area consisting of 7,015 acres of Colorado backcountry. 

Ed helps fellow hikers across a stream.

There are times on this trail that you need to stop, look, then look again, to insure you are still on trail.  Fishermen, backpackers, and other hikers have carved paths off the main trail, causing some confusion at various spots.  A reason for those who hike in groups like ours to always remain within sight of the hiker in front of you to ensure you do not get lost.

Today, hikers were faced with a number of typical hazards in the back country. Caution: I don't normally use these journal entry-type articles to be a tutorial on a given topic.  This is an exception because the following text is from years of trial and error hiking/backpacking many years on the east coast and more recently here in Colorado.   

Lunch on the rocks.

First, when approaching a stream, runoff, or spring that has water flowing across trail, automatic flags should be raised in every hikers mind.

• when approaching a water bar (a trough dug at an angle across trail to divert water, many times lined with a log on one or both sides), always step on solid ground before the closest log, and step over the second log to solid ground on the opposite side.
• when approaching a spring or small runoff of water across trail, again step on firm ground or a stable rock on the near side.  Your next step should be across the running water on solid ground or another stable rock.
• when approaching a stream on trail with no formal bridge to cross, stop, and evaluate the stream.  If what appears to be stable rocks have been placed as stepping pads and the water level is not above those rocks, use the rocks to cross.  If there is a downed tree that appears to have been used by hikers to cross, but it has no flat surface to walk on, you may want to consider a safer method.  Look for a spot up or down stream where there is stable ground on both sides and the water is more shallow plus the distance to step across is manageable.
• If you are hiking with poles in the situations mentioned above, be sure to plant your poles properly.
• Plant a lead pole a comfortable distance in front and to one side, on a rock, stream bed, or ground.
• Plant the second pole a comfortable distance in front and to the opposite side on a stable spot before stepping on the first rock pad.  Continue planting each pole in the same spacing and position while focusing on placement of each foot as you cross.
• If you do not use poles when hiking, work in tandem with a buddy (never hike alone) by one person crossing the stream.  That person then  extends a pole (hand grip end extended to the second person crossing) for that person to grab while crossing.
• Take your time and move with confidence.

• When crossing a stream of any distance that has fast moving water, always make at least three points of contact with a solid object (creek bed, rock, ground), with a pole.
• Never step on a wet log.
• Never step on a wet or moss-covered rock unless a fellow hiker has first found it stable.
• Never cross a stream on a downed tree that has bark on it.
• If you miss a rock pad while crossing, don't be afraid of stepping in the water.  If it's shallow, the ground will be more stable than the rock.  Plus, if your boots are WP and you did the smart thing and packed that extra pair of socks, you will be so proud of yourself that you did all the right things. 
• Remember while crossing...think you are safely on the other side, it does work.

Sorry if I got a bit carried away explaining the do's and dont's of crossing a stream.  It is one thing while hiking that everybody, regardless of their experience or lack there of, must think about when faced with safely getting you from one side to the other.

Golden Banner

As totally awesome as the mountains and streams are in Arapaho National Forest, the experience should not be marred by an unfortunate mishap that caused you to use items in that home made emergency kit in your pack.

Despite the knarleyness of trail today, we did find a spot well suited for the group to have lunch.  Thanks to Gary1, who forged ahead of the group to find an area of scree/talus rock, directly beside trail, at approximately 10, 567'.  A perfect setting for recharging and rehydrating our batteries.  A few members elected to take their lunch break closer to the water as they found a sunny spot for their break.

High Country Hikers front row (L to R) Barbara Peck, Penny Geise, Kathy Hall, Marsha McBurnett, Kathy Tedrick, Marilyn Micek, and Melva and Don Storm.  Back row (L to R) Hike leader, Ed Blum, Bill and Kathy Macomber, John Tedrick and Gary Merical.

The back part of an out and back day hike is most always bitter sweet for me.  I welcome the challenge of getting to the designated spot or general area for lunch.  I don't enjoy the return, although generally it is physically easier, and the landscapes are just as awesome, but it means when I get back to the TH, I must sit on the bus and wait until Ed pulls into a coffee/ice cream shop for a treat. 

Total miles = 6.6

Total elevation gain = 1,390'