Mount Antero

Drove up the amazingly awful 4WD "road" along Baldwin Gulch to 10,850 ft. and started hiking at 6:10 am (MDT). Very steep mining 4WD drive serves as a "trail" to about 13,500 ft. Stunning, dramatic views in ever direction on reaching shoulder at 13,200 ft.: Princeton and other Collegiates to the North, Shavano and Tabeguache to the south, Pikes Peak and Blanca Peak in the distance eastward. Had nice weather w/ partly cloudy skies, little wind, and no real threat of rain or lightning all morning. Reached the summit at 9:55 am--first to reach it that day! Accompanied, as usual, by my daughter. Back to the trailhead by just after 1 pm. I don't see how anyone but a determined runner could make the round trip in the 5 and one-half hours listed in the Dawson guide book, and I have to quibble with the designation of this as a "novice" climb. The ridge traverse at approx. 13,700 ft. is not really difficult, but dramatic and has some exposure. Thankfully, on this date, there _was_ a summit register in place.