From the 2WD trailhead, drive up FR 102 where you'll find marked camping spots along the first 1.25 miles. Near 10,200' and 1.3 miles up the road, reach a creek crossing which has a footbridge -
1. If the road is open/clear beyond this point and you have a 4WD vehicle, you can drive higher. Low-clearance vehicles should NOT attempt this crossing, especially in early summer when the water is high. If you plan on driving across, it's best to walk over the footbridge first to see what you're up against. Cross Castle Creek and continue nearly 2 miles to the Pearl Pass road junction
, at 11,150' -
2. Turn right at the junction and follow the road up into Montezuma Basin -
3,
4 and
5. Pass the Montezuma Mine and continue another 0.5 mile to the end of the road
, at 12,800' -
6.
From here, you are looking southwest at a steep slope/headwall that has snow through much of the year. When dry, most hikers ascend the right side. Pick your line and ascend 500 feet up the headwall -
7,
8,
9. Near 13,300', enter the large basin between Castle and Conundrum -
10. Look sharply left toward the northeast ridge and continue on a trail that climbs to the ridge -
11. Hike over 300' to reach the ridge crest near 13,700' -
12. The route is more difficult from this point but should not exceed Difficult Class 2 unless you're off-route. Bypass some initial difficulties on the right before continuing south along the ridge crest -
13 and
14. Near 13,900', bypass another section on the right and return to the ridge crest; Do not drop far to your right -
15. Continue along the ridge crest -
16 and
17. Near 14,000', come to point where you can preview the final 250' to the summit -
18.
Drop to a small saddle and start up the final pitch -
19. There are rock sections that may slow down your route finding but there's an easy way around each obstacle. Continue up this steep, loose pitch (
20) to reach the summit
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22.