The New Lady and the Old Man

This wherigo adventure will take you to the summits of two low peaks in and near Rocky Mountain National Park. Both require rock scrambles to reach the top and should only be attempted by cache seekers who are comfortable in Class 3 climbing situations. You will begin with an ascent of Hazel’s Cone (“The New Lady”) in RMNP and then drive to a parking area on the south side of Oldman Mountain in Estes Park. From that small parking area you will ascend a scrambling route to the summit of “The Old Man” to find and log the cache. The New Lady has an elevation of 9,133 Feet, while The Old Man rises to 8,310 feet. A National Park entrance fee or seasonal or lifetime pass is required to enter the park if you arrive after 6 a.m.

Now, a bit of recent history. Prior to 2017 decades had passed since the U.S. Board of Geographic Names approved a new official name for a peak in RMNP. Then it happened, on February 9, 2017, with the naming of a small cone north of Horseshoe Park as Hazel’s Cone! Acceptance of the name came after the National Park Service petitioned the Board to give this specific cone an official name. It was a condition by the owners of The Cascade Cottages property that if they transferred their 42-acre parcel to RMNP, the cone would be named after the present owners’ grandmother and family matriarch, Hazel Davis. Hazel had been especially fond of the cone and of the numerous family hikes made to its base over the years. The Trust for Public Lands submitted and sponsored the naming application to help honor the family’s 70-year legacy of helping visitors discover and enjoy the Rocky Mountains. At the time of ownership transfer, it was the largest remaining publically-held commercial property within the RMNP boundaries. So the naming was a win-win for everyone. And today we get to appreciate and climb another RMNP Named Peak! Enjoy your journey to the top and back, and be careful.

By contrast, Oldman Mountain had held its name and been a prominent feature rising above Estes Park for many, many years. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names recognized Oldman Mountain as its official name in 1965--55 years ago. Be aware that parking is very restricted at the point you will start your hike and scramble to the summit of The Old Man. Coordinates and directions for parking for The Old Man will be given when you reach the wherigo zone at the top of The New Lady. Finding the best route up Oldman can be challenging, so I encourage you to do your research in advance of getting there. There are helpful sources available; finding them and the route adds a component to the Difficulty rating of this wherigo.

Download the cartridge: LINK
Then enjoy your adventures!

Additional Waypoints