Hesperus Mountain - Revisited

Journey to the Sacred Mountains plans to revisit Hesperus Mountain on the weekend of July 17-18, 2010.

The route, via the Sharkstooth trailhead, is a moderate to strenuous 5 mile round trip hike. The trek includes a hike to the west ridge and then an arduous scramble up the steep scree riddled slop to the 13,234 ft summit.

Unless otherwise noted, we will be camping along the road to the trailhead on Saturday 7/17 and hiking early on Sunday 7/18. There are several possible camping spots along the last mile of the road approaching the trailhead. Look for the JTSM logo posted on a tree. There are no formal camping facilities or potable water sources in this area. The forest service recommends high clearance vehicles for the last several miles of the road.

Directions to the Sharkstooth Trailhead:
From the town of Mancos, turn north on Highway 184, continue .3 miles then turn right (east) onto West Mancos Road, also known as CR 42. Continue on the West Mancos Road for several miles; approximately two miles past the Transfer Recreation Area turn onto the Spruce Mill Road (NFSR #350). Travel another 6 miles, turn right onto NFSR #346, and continue another mile to the Sharkstooth Trailhead. Look for our base camp along this last 1 mile stretch.


Mr. Larry Archie Navajo Medicine Man is planning to join us. He will be making and Navajo offering and blessing at ~ 8 a.m. on Sunday. Contributions are welcome. The hike will begin following this service.

Based on traditional Navajo teachings, participants are asked be considerate of Sacred Mountains as follows:

Don’t use knife to cut anything living (vegetation, birds, animals)
Don’t have a bad thought
During the whole trip, no sexual relations
Don’t cut hair, nails, or beard while on the mountain
Not to have a party. No Alcohol. You’re on spiritual trip.

Sincerely, MountainsandMedicine


Journey to the Sacred Mountains is an at will activity. There are no fees. Mountaineering has inherent challenges. Weather and other conditions can be unpredictable. Individuals that choose to make all or part of this journey should carefully consider their experience, fitness, equipment, and personal health when considering climbing these mountains. Each individual is responsible for their own preparation, safety, equipment, sustenance, and shelter.


For all those that enjoy exploring the rugged Colorado lands, we highly recommend purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. This helps fund search and rescue efforts in the state. Visit http://www.coloradosarboard.org/csrb-COSARFund.asp for more details.



Check this website for updates or email mountainsandmedicine@gmail.com.

Sisnaajiní - Blanca Peak Sacred Mountain of the East

The Dawn Mountain. Sisnaajiní (Blanca Peak) marks the Eastern boarder of the traditional Navajo homeland. It is the mountain of Spring, new life, and the rising sun.

JTSM visited Blanca Peak on 5/23/09 - 5/25/09 and again on 7/11/09.

Click here to view photos of our trip(s) to Sisnaajiní

Journey to Tsoodził (Mt Taylor Sacred Mountain of the South)

With the rugged beauty of Blanca Peak fresh in our memory, Journey to the Sacred Mountains continued to the sacred mountain of the south. Mt Taylor holds physical, cultural, and spiritual significance for many tribes of the southwest including Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, Navajo, and Hopi. Known as Tsoodził to the Navajo, traditional teachings describe that Mt Taylor is fastened to the earth with a stone knife. The mountain represents summer, the turquoise stone, and is home to turquoise boy and turquoise girl. In recent news, Mt Taylor has been designated as Traditional Cultural Property by the New Mexico Cultural Properties review Committee.

We visited Mt Taylor August 1 - 2, 2009.

Click here to view photos of our visit to Tsoodził.

Journey to Dook’o’oosłíí - The San Francisco Peaks

Named The San Francisco Peaks by 17th century Franciscan missionaries, Dook’o’oosłíí is the Navajo Sacred Mountain that marks the western boarder of traditional Navajo homeland. Represented by the color yellow, Navajo describe that Dook’o’oosłíí is representative of adulthood and associated with Autumn. Secured to the earth by a sun beam and containing abalone shell inside, it is the home of Haashch’éélt’i’í Talking God, Naada’algaii ‘Ashkii White Corn Boy, and Naadá ‘Altsoii ‘At’ééd Yellow Corn Girl. It has a female attribute and said to be covered with yellow clouds mixed with evening twilight.

In western terms, "The Peaks" are volcanic in origin, and stand a mile above the surrounding southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. A series of 6 peaks standing above 11,000 feet border the volcanic caldera that makes up the Inner Basin. Humphreys Peak stands at 12,366 feet and marks the highest point in Arizona. The four highest individual peaks in Arizona are contained within the range.

At least 13 Native American tribes describe sacred connections to these mountains. Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Apache, Acoma, Southern Paiute, Havasupai, Hualapai, Yavapai, and Mojave are among the indigenous people who have ancestral ties to these sacred peaks which have provided life sustaining water, game, timber, medicinal plants, and spiritual context throughout their history.

In modern times, conflicts and controversy have been ongoing as industrial and recreational interests have pursued development that has been seen as contrary to the spiritual nature of these sacred mountains. Journey to the Sacred Mountains has no direct connection or involvement in these disputes, as a cultural awareness project, we endeavored to approach these sacred peaks with the utmost respect and reverence for their sacred significance.

Our journey took us to Dook’o’oosłíí on Saturday October 17, 2009.

Photos from the trip can be seen here.

Journey to Dibé Nitsaa - Hesperus Mtn, Sacred Mountain of the North

Journey to the Sacred Mountains headed north during the final days of winter's embrace. Hesperus Mountain, Dibé Nitsaa (Big Mountain Sheep) is the Navajo Sacred Mountain of the North. Said to be fastened to the earth by a rainbow, it is impregnated with jet black stone (obsidian) and covered in darkness. Associated with night, winter, and the twilight years of life. Of the four Sacred Mountains that mark the border of the traditional Navajo homeland, Dibé Nitsaa seems the most aloof to western ears. Beyond the mention of its association with north and jet stone, it's as if there is an unspoken hush when discussing the mountain in idle conversation. Nightfall, darkness, and the northern direction are said to hold mysterious and almost ominous importance for traditional Navajo. It is with this imperfect understanding that we approached Hesperus Mountain with humble respect for its rugged beauty and unique position in the Sacred Mountains mandala.


We visited Hesperus Mountain on March 6th, 2010

The night before and after our journey to Dibé Nitsaa we stayed at Wyatt West Ranch http://www.wyattwestranch.com/

Photos from our journey to Hesperus Mountain can be found here.

Equipment List

Equipment to consider for backpacking and summit hike:

The Basics:

Tent or Bivy Sac

Backpack

Sleeping bag 15 degree or better

Sleeping pad

Layered clothing

Wind protective shell

Cold weather mid-layer

Light/mid-weight cap

Hiking boots/socks

Light to mid weight gloves

Water container(s)

Water filter/purification method

Backpacking food and snacks

Camp stove and fuel

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Fire starter

Compass

1st aid/repair kit

Flashlight/headlamp

Extra batteries

Extras to Consider:

Daypack for summit hike

Hiking poles

Binoculars

Camera

Camp shoes

Bug repellent

Added Safety:

Crampons (Blanca Peak & Hesperus)

Snowshoes

Climbing/ice axe (Blanca Peak & Hesperus)

Climbing Helmet

G.P.S. device

Emergency Personal Locator Beacon

Avalanche beacon, probe, shovel (Hesperus)

Climbing rope

Climbing harness

Two-way radios

Jeff's Special Suggestions:

Hiking leisure suit with matching gaiters

Multipocket vest (with extra pockets and sled attachment)

Halibut Edition Pocket fishing rod ($19.99 value)

Ice Auger for ice fishing (at Twin Lakes near Hesperus)

Sterno log (XL)

50 db ear plugs

John Deere Hat

Pocket Guide to Conversational English