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I'm thinking about the Traverse for this weekend. I have read reports about starting on Peak 1 or Peak 2. I am looking to start at 4:30am so looking for the best trail to gain access to the ridge - it appears it is over Mount Royal? what is the best trailhead to start from. Thanks in advance!!

You literally get off the second Frisco exit heading West, take a left, go under 70 and look on the right for a very obvious paved trailhead. You walk along the bike path for about a 1/2 mile till you reach the Royal turnoff and then prepare for an underrated bear of a quad burner to Pk.1. Its not technically difficult, its just an unrelentingly uphill ascent, probably the toughest single physical part of the day (sans the hardship of the entire traverse). Starting on Pk.2 wouldn't make much sense since they only reasonable way to get there is up and over Pk.1, just a FYI, but you'll realize this once you top out on 1.

Anyways, goodluck, solid views and even better forecast, a perfect weekend to do it.

Solid Info. I have happy hour waiting for me in Breck so the ridges after Peak 5 should go fast. Have a good weekend!