Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We went up to Navajo Peak via Niwot Ridge in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on Aug 8, 2026. I summited Navajo Peak a few years ago via Airplane Gully, but wanted to try the class 3 Niwot Ridge route as well. We’re thrilled to have a friend Ashley joining us on this trip. We left Niwot Picnic lot around 5:30am and arrived at the CU Biosphere Research Area by sunrise. After a few more miles of tundra walk and rock hopping, we reached the base of the first major tower, where class 3 scramble began in earnest. The entire ridge consists of 3 major towers/high points, with the second one being the true summit of Niwot Ridge at 13,038'. We stayed ridge proper for the most part, with the crux being the downclimb between the first two towers. We skirted the 3rd high point as it looked less interesting. Finally we went up the summit block of Navajo Peak, elevation 13,419', via the difficult class 3 east chimney, and enjoyed the fantastic views on this airy summit. We then descended on some easier class 2+ route towards the west. The Airplane Gully was a loose mess and slow going, but besides that the whole hike/scramble was quite enjoyable. Another great day in IPW. Total stats: 13 miles with 3500ft/elevation gain
Music:
Adrift, by Punch Deck (youtube.com/watch?v=lxKEc-LE8ro)
Tempest, by Punch Deck (youtube.com/watch?v=8ETKHElu6ww)
0:00 Intro and Initial approach
04:01 Traverse Niwot Ridge
14:46 Summit Navajo Peak
18:00 Summit view and descent
We went up to Navajo Peak via Niwot Ridge in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on Aug 8, 2026. I summited Navajo Peak a few years ago via Airplane Gully, but wanted to try the class 3 Niwot Ridge route as well. We’re thrilled to have a friend Ashley joining us on this trip. We left Niwot Picnic lot around 5:30am and arrived at the CU Biosphere Research Area by sunrise. After a few more miles of tundra walk and rock hopping, we reached the base of the first major tower, where class 3 scramble began in earnest. The entire ridge consists of 3 major towers/high points, with the second one being the true summit of Niwot Ridge at 13,038'. We stayed ridge proper for the most part, with the crux being the downclimb between the first two towers. We skirted the 3rd high point as it looked less interesting. Finally we went up the summit block of Navajo Peak, elevation 13,419', via the difficult class 3 east chimney, and enjoyed the fantastic views on this airy summit. We then descended on some easier class 2+ route towards the west. The Airplane Gully was a loose mess and slow going, but besides that the whole hike/scramble was quite enjoyable. Another great day in IPW. Total stats: 13 miles with 3500ft/elevation gain
Music:
Adrift, by Punch Deck (youtube.com/watch?v=lxKEc-LE8ro)
Tempest, by Punch Deck (youtube.com/watch?v=8ETKHElu6ww)
0:00 Intro and Initial approach
04:01 Traverse Niwot Ridge
14:46 Summit Navajo Peak
18:00 Summit view and descent
