Casco & French Peaks

Hike Name: Casco & French Peaks Location: central CO Length: 12 Submitted by: Gary Swing Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Colorado trail reviews Colorado national parks Colorado state parks
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Description
This is an excellent hike and scramble of two of Colorado's 100 highest peaks: Casco Peak (13,908) and French Mtn. (13,940). Very few people climb these peaks, despite their proximity to the state's two highest peaks, Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, which may be viwed from these summits. The hike begins with a lengthy walk on jeep roads, follwed by off-trail climbing. The long, high ridge connection between the summits is rocky but solid. Staying on or near the ridge top presents some fun class 3 scrambling. In the late spring or early summer, the descent from French peak offers a fun glissade. In late June of 1997, the most difficult part of this adventure was a creek crossing at the trailhead. Old guidebooks describe a bridge here, but it no longer exists. Rapid spring run-off can make the creek crossing a challenge.

Directions to Hike
From U.S. 24 south of Leadville, drive west on Colorado 300 and turn south toward Halfmoon Campground. Continue three and a half miles west beyond the campground and park at a junction with a jeep road that crosses Halfmoon Creek to the south.

Contact Information
San Isabel National Forest
1920 Valley Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
(719) 545-8737

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