Point Blue (Sawatch Range, CO; 13,711')

Point Blue, aka Twining Peak, is Point 13,711 on the Continental Divide just North of Independence Pass. It's an easy off-trail scramble, but its altitude and the rugged summit ridge give it a rather alpine feeling. The views are great. All of this, plus the easy access from Independence Pass, make it an ideal half-day acclimatization trip if one is staying in the Aspen area. Topo Map Routes: S Ridge (I, Class 2) References: M. Garrat and B. Martin, Colorado's High Thirteeners , Cordillera Press 1992

Point Blue (right) in late August from Linkin's Lake

Date: August 5, 2009

Party: DB solo

Route: S Ridge

Equipment: none

Time: Independence Pass - Summit: 1 hr 25 mins
Summit - Independence Pass: 1 hr 25 mins
Roundtrip from Pass: 3 hrs 5 mins

Comments: Time down includes Point ~13,500 to the South of Point Blue