My friend Erin joined me to climb some Centennials during a personal 30 by 30 challenge I was working on in 2016. We set out for a girls weekend making our way to Leadville where we stopped for a delicious bite and bevi at Tennessee Pass Cafe before heading to the trailhead.

From Leadville we headed toward Independence Pass on 82 to the very last trailhead, North Lake Creek, just before you start the switchbacks up the pass. We slept in the bed in the back of the Toyota truck with a tarp over us. The next morning we had condensation dripping down on us from the tarp overhead. We made slow progress that morning taking some extra time for coffee. 

‍We managed to get off trail using Gerry’ Roach’s 13er book and no GPS. Too busy chatting we bypassed the trail miles before we caught on. Our original objective was actually Casco, but instead we found ourselves in the basin below point 13,660 B with Lackawanna behind. We quickly changed the game plan and decided to hike the steep gully up to the saddle of point 13,660 B.

I was greeted by goats as I topped out on the saddle and waited for Erin to come up. From the saddle a quick boulder hop guides you to the unnamed 13er summit. Erin had already hiked Lackawanna and wasn’t interested in going to the summit, but agreed to hang out and wait behind on 13,660 B and read a book.

After some quick photos and a snack I took off to jaunt over to Lackawanna before the storms rolled in. The saddle connecting the unnamed 13er and Lackawanna is a smooth walk to the summit. The views of Casco are tempting and this trip made me start eyeing the connecting ridge from Lackawanna and Point 13,660 B.

I hustled back over to Erin on 13,660 B and we started our descent. Great outing and a beautiful day in the mountains!
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Leadville is one of my most favorite mountain towns. A little gem with plenty of local options. Definitely spend some time here as you're passing through or even stay overnight to get better acclimated for your hike if you're coming from sea level.

Local jams: Tennessee Pass Cafe, City on a Hill Coffee, Casa Sanchez, Buchi Cafe Cubano.