Ascent: -South-east slopes class 1
Descent: -East ridge class 2
Hike: RT 7.0 (includes Gemini Peak, Mounts Sherman and Sheridan); 1.5 up. This 4-peak circuit is a delightful loop best accessed from Leadville. The Iowa Gulch trailhead is a short drive from Pb-ville and the start of the trail is located at 3,660 meters, lessening the height gain required to reach higher ground and fabulous views. Dyer Mountain is a ranked centennial 13er, I was glad to include this summit on my Sherman escapade. There's a couple of routes up this summit; given I was solo and combining other objectives, I chose to keep it simple. I left the truck just as dawn replaced darkness. The start of my hike was very straightforward, I basically followed an old mining road and veered off on the summit's grassy south-eastern slopes. Tim had told me about a trail near some abandoned mining structures but I started climbing before I reached them, I never noticed the buildings until I was higher up on the ascent slopes. I really don't think that made much of a difference, the open terrain offered pleasant hiking and there was never any doubt of the direction I had to follow to reach the summit ridge. Further up on the slopes as I was about to gain the south-west ridge, I came about the trail. Once on the ridge, I had a great view over some old mining sites, the town of Leadville and Turquoise Lake. In very little time, I reached the summit. I jotted a note for Tim in the summit register, this is his backyard and he treks up here often on conditioning hikes. After taking some pictures and grabbing a quick snack, I started down towards Gemini Peak. I carefully descended to the broad saddle with the impressive power line's triple-tower and continued on the connecting ridge towards the steep talus ridge that would take me to Gemini Peak and Mount Sherman. The wind on the traverse was fierce, I wasn't looking forward to the climb in the shade.
