John Kirk 1st to Complete Huerfano County

[Brian Kalet]

On May 26th John Kirk became the 1st to complete Huerfano County. I had the pleasure to join John on 8930, 9835 & Silver Mountain, only 3 of the 63 peaks in the county...

[Alyson Kirk]

Brian - Silver was a really nice hike and I'm glad you found the short way or Fort Carson wouldn't have happened that day. I'm not disappointed that I missed out on 8930 or 9835 with you and John after hearing about them.

I wanted to offer congratulations to my husband John! The peaks I joined you on in Huerfano County I will never forget. Especially the last hike that finished the county. Sorry for the breakdown, but anyone would break down with 22 miles of bushwhacking and 9k gain. If anyone out there is looking for a hike to punish themselves try combining 10,890, 10,500, 10,285 and Badito. You will surely have an awful time and reconsider why you like to hike. Anyway, glad you finished and glad we never have to do that hike again!

[Steve Knapp]

Way to go John, congrats on yet another county completed! Sounds like an awesome finishing hike!

[lukePlumley]

Congratulations John. Hopefully you only need to complete Huerfano once (or twice)!

lp

[John Paul]

Baditoness! Congratulations John Kirk! You are single handedly turning our state green -> JK's CO County Completion Map

Those two G-Buttes look like fun scrambles. Didn't see any 5th class peaks in this county. Any chance we get to see one of those "the good, the bad, the ugly" breakdowns? JP

[MikeRodenak]

Nice work John! That is quite the green blob you've got going on

[dhgold]

Way to go, John. Time to get cracking on the Western Slope.

[John Kirk]

Thanks everyone

Any chance we get to see one of those "the good, the bad, the ugly" breakdowns? JP

There is a lot of plate talus (even at lower elevations) and juniper that combine to make some comparatively awful experiences possible.
Sheep (N & S), Badito, White Peaks (N, S, & Middle), Rough, Mestas all fit this category. There is some nasty scrub and juniper on most of the lower ones. As with Fremont, things are better above treeline.

There are a couple massive hikes that took place to make a finish reasonable:
http://listsofjohn.com/mapasc?M=John+Kirk&d=2013-11-10
http://listsofjohn.com/mapasc?M=John+Kirk&d=2013-11-17
http://listsofjohn.com/mapasc?M=John+Kirk&d=2014-05-26
I don't recommend the latter...it will not make you stronger for getting through it.

[Ryan Kowalski]

John,

Congrats on finishing Huerfano. How is the ridge from the saddle of Badito and 10,285 and the summit of 10,285? I thought about going that way after Badito, but it looked like a bear so I wussed out and did a lower peak instead.

[John Kirk]

John,

Congrats on finishing Huerfano. How is the ridge from the saddle of Badito and 10,285 and the summit of 10,285? I thought about going that way after Badito, but it looked like a bear so I wussed out and did a lower peak instead.

It's not really that great. Tons of deadfall on the higher ridge and a bit of scrub at the 9k level. The ridge below that isn't that bad, but it is deserty and could get really hot in the summer, so spring/fall are probably more suitable. Unfortunately, this is still probably the best way to get 10285.