Jagged And Sunlight Basin 2025

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This is from a day hike I did to the Twilight Peaks in the San Juans before our Jagged trip.
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Mom and I left Cortez at around 4pm on Sunday, made it to the Vallecito Campground at around 6pm, hiked in 3.5 miles and had a great campsite next to first bridge crossing. It was a solid warm-up and knocked some elevation and miles off our intense next day.
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Alpenglow at the start of day 3, in a gorgeous little meadow in Sunlight Basin. Sunlight Peak, a 14er, in the background.
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The south face of Jagged, viewed from Sunlight Basin
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Windom and Sunlight in Alpenglow
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Sunrise on the granite slabs of Sunlight Basin
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Sunlight Lake in Morning Light
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Upper Sunlight Lake
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Mom looking at Jagged, tomorrow's objective
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Jagged from Sunlight Basin
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Sunlight Lake Rocks
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Jagged's tower viewed from the south. Awe inspring!
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Rehydrated raspberry dessert.
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Mom in the easier terrain on the approach to Jagged. We had just finished some very steep grass/scree climbing for about 600 feet, which was slow.
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A late blooming Indian Paintbrush
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Jagged's North Face in partial reflection
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This photo is from 2024, taken at a distance all the way from Leviathan Lake, but it manages to show the route up Jagged better than at any view at the base of the peak. Our approach is in red, showcasing the class 5 slab we had to make before rejoining the sandy bench, and then starting crux 1. The route continues in blue, which we didn't do. Our exit route is in orange.
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The class 5 slab we climbed (not part of the typical route). I placed one piece of protection that, while not ideal, helped both mom and I have a sense of security. I then lead climbed and top belayed mom. The hardest part was my feet getting very stuck in the crack which made keeping my balance as I tried to take a step up and dislodge my feet difficult.
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Mom at the end of our 30m rappel. Our 60m rope worked out perfectly.
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Jagged's prominent tower, now viewed from the north.
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Looking down at our approach valley (Sunlight Creek)
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This is what peak performance looks like. My pack doesn't look it, but it's probably a good 35lbs or so, even with the food mostly gone.
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Aspen beginning to turn already. Love these trees!
Sangre De Cristo Crestone Peak 2025