Finding Solitude on Coffintop Mountain

Solo on a lesser-traveled mountain named Coffintop. How would that make you feel? It kinda gave me the heebie-jeebies. I reasoned with my overactive imagination; many people hiked it before me and survived. I grabbed my pack and jumped in the car.

I had a few goals for the day. The first one was a little solitude in nature, even if the destination did creep me out a little. The second was to check out a spot I hadn’t been to yet. The third was to get used to carrying a heavier backpack since I hadn’t most of the winter.  

Naturally, I grabbed my camera pack even though I had no intention of getting my camera out. I just wanted the extra weight. 

My quick research (an hour before I left) said there would be bushwhacking once I got off the Preserve trails. I didn’t have to do any bushwhacking, but I was glad I had the route downloaded. Enough people have done it at this point that there’s a faint path, but not enough to have a full-on trail.  

(A few trail pics from my phone)

The path parallels a stream for a short bit. And there were two old structures. I would guess they were from the late 1800s or early 1900s. They looked too small to be cabins. I wonder if they were for water storage as they sat across from each other on opposite sides of the stream. (phone pic)

Once I got to the base of Coffintop, the path curved around to the backside. It was a little deflating as it looked like I was going away from the mountain. And at this point, I just wanted to get to the top.

Coffintop was one of those summits where you think you’re there but aren’t. You keep going until you can’t go anymore without falling off the other side. But, with that said, the true summit did have a great view of Button Rock Preserve below.

I couldn’t resist getting my camera out any longer.

I desperately tried to get the reservoir and Mt Meeker in the same frame. I did, but I’m not too crazy about it. The snowy mountains blend in with the clouds. And I wish I could’ve gotten the reservoir closer to the center. I tried moving around, but a tree branch or rock was always in the way.

The wind was blowing hard, so after this shot, I started making my way back down. But not without being sidetracked a few times. Luckily, I hadn’t put my camera back in the pack.

I found an overlook with a nice view of the reservoir. Again, I was having a hard time with tree branches and rocks getting in the way of my composition. I did horizontal and vertical shots from this spot. Let me know in the comments which you prefer.

If you know me, you know I love old gnarly, twisted trees. This summit didn’t disappoint. I could’ve spent a lot of time up there with my camera and the trees, but I only grabbed a few quick shots.

I got one final shot looking east before I got back into the thick trees.

I wish I had trekking poles going down the steeper part of the mountain. My old treadless trail runners weren’t helpful on the steep sandy dirt and pine needles. I spotted the blooming Mountain Ball Cactus I saw on the way up. I hadn’t put my camera away yet and thought this would be a good excuse to stop and give my legs a break.

I got down off the mountain section and back to the Button Rock Preserve trail. I decided to take the Sleepy Lion Trail to the dam to finish with a nice loop. I was going to stop for a few pics as I walked across the dam, but I saw that the high peaks disappeared in clouds and rain bands. I decided I would come back another day.

I did make one more stop at the spillway, though. The water comes out with such a crazy force! I grabbed a quick video with my phone. It’s much more impressive in person.

The rest of the hike was just a stroll down the dirt road to the car, lost in thoughts of surviving Coffintop.