Looking for an excuse to return to Red Rocks where Dinah and I have done a number of hikes and scrambles, we found it in New Peak, one of many high points there with unofficial names. Looking at the gentle curve of its ridgeline, I was expecting a simple hike, but it actually offered a few surprises. It wasn't as easy as it appeared. Adept scramblers comfortable with exposure could take the summit head-on, but we found a way up the back side that was little more than an offtrail hike.

Our trip began in Calico Basin where we started up the trail that runs over the pass that separates New Peak and Kraft Mountain. When we reached the pass, we left the trail and started up New Peak. Vague trails made travel easy and we stuck near the ridge until we drew close to the summit. Three outcrops on the ridge forced us low and to the right before we reached the base of the summit. I started scrambling up but found the rock steeper and more exposed than it appeared from below. It had looked so easy!

I turned back and caught up with Dinah. She had started working her way below the summit on the north side. We found trails here; clearly we weren't the first to tackle the summit from the other side. We had no trouble gaining the ridge and hiking along it to the top of New Peak, a great vantage point to take in the colors of Red Rocks.

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