Rio Blanco County High Point Trip Report

unnamed point northwest of Orno Peak (12,027 ft)

Date: July 6-7, 1996
Author: David Olson

Saturday, before the trip, I took care of chores, packed and went downtown to look at maps at the Denver Public Library. From there I hit the road. I found a place east of Yampa to park the car and sleep in the back. Sunday morning I drove up to Upper Stillwater Reservoir, found the trailhead and hiked north into the Mandall Basin.

Six streams were high and difficult to cross. The trail was difficult to follow high in the basin. Snow was an issue only on the slope up to the pass. So I got to the HP point for Rio Blanco county, 12,027 ft., after 3:20 hours of hiking. A register had been put there by Bob Martin in Aug. 1988.

On my way back I passed close to a herd of domestic sheep. I noted that their individual voices were quite different.