The Great Rawah Traverse

Long have I admired the rugged spine of the the Medicine Bow mountains in Colorado's Rawah Wilderness. After hiking to an overlook atop Crown Point with some friends of ours back in June, I felt compelled to hike their crest in one push. Researching the route extensively, I decided to define it as the valley floor of North Park by the Jack Dickens trailhead all the way south to Cameron Pass via every high point I could tag along the way. I had hoped it would be doable in a day, but unable to find a single trip report of anyone who had done this route before, and the probable lack of water up on the ridge, I decided that an overnight made more sense.
Sticking as close to the ridgeline as possible except for a detour to camp and get water at Island Lake, this route is approximately 28 miles and 16,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. I do think it is possible in a day, but you would need to cache water around Clark Peak. The 10 quarts that this route required would be too much to carry while making reasonable time. Lightning is the biggest risk factor along the crest of the Rawahs, as you are completely exposed to weather the entire trip. Choose a period with zero thunderstorm risk or do not attempt.
The Rawah Wilderness is located 50 miles west of Fort Collins, Colorado and just 6 miles north of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is full of wildlife and high alpine lakes, wildflowers and glacially carved peaks.
Filmed July 1-2, 2020 on a Canon 80D and a GoPro Hero 8 Black.

[@beaurogers6205]

I found the exact same marker at long draw reservoir said 1949 geodic survey too pretty awesome I've never seen another one till your video!!

[@tommoritz6659]

You probably did double the vert with all the camera placement and retrieval. My wife would appreciate your attention to the alpine flowers. I'll have to share this with her so she knows who I've been going skiing with.

[@tomnolenreb8930]

Awesome video. I love the Rawahs and this gave me some good beta on the ridge from Kelly Lake up to N and S Peaks. Congrats on a killer traverse.

[@jacobgoeller8361]

I almost never leave comments on videos, but this one was awesome. I have been to the Rawahs several times and really enjoyed watching you traverse the entire ridge of the mountains. Nice job!

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Thank you! It was a spectacular route!

[@deathbycolor]

Great timing to get it in before the fire. This wilderness is really magical.

[@clarkandre1200]

I realize I am pretty off topic but do anybody know a good site to stream new series online ?

[@KvnRuby]

This is phenomenal, great video.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Thank you!

[@samson3000]

I have to hand it to you, this is quite an achievement -- Made all the more difficult because you are the talent, producer, and director of the video. I salute your bravery for doing this solo: I would be so concerned about injuries while hiking such rugged terrain. I am glad you left the doggie behind for this trip -- It would be rough on the paws. Great photography, by the way, especially the static shots of all the flowers. Nicely done production.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Thank you! It was a blast :)

[@gohigheroutdoors3105]

Nice! Uintas next?

[@andynelson2197]

Very cool. I'm considering running this ridgeline this summer. Do you have a GPX file you would be willing to share?

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Hey Andy, I do not, as my GPS ran out of batteries halfway through. I will say the route is remarkably self explanatory once you're on the ridge. Gain the ridge via the Jack Dickens trailhead near Walden and follow it all the way to South Diamond Peak at Cameron Pass. Most people will want to leave the ridge to avoid a low 5th class section or two right before you get above Island Lake, but other than that the whole route is in the sky. There is almost no water on the ridge, but if you bring a filter you can refill at some small depressions just before you leave the ridge for Island Lake (15:21). Those little water filled depressions should hold water through about late July; I would not count on them come Aug.

[@rashad-tm4zm]

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