NOTE: If you hike Tabeguache via this route, you MUST return the same way. DO NOT descend early and enter McCoy Gulch because it ends in cliffs and many hikers have gotten into trouble making that mistake. Don't do it. Not even in a thunderstorm! Study the route, maps and photos and take a map and/or GPS with you to make sure you stay on-route.
This route is different from the old southwest ridge route which was closed by the US Forest Service, back in 2003. Both the Jennings Creek trailhead (unmarked) and west ridge route are on public land so there's nothing wrong with climbing Tabeguache Peak from Jennings Creek but please stay away from the southwest ridge. At 8 miles and approx. 4,000' of elevation gain, the west ridge is a good option for hikers who don't feel comfortable with the effort required to hike Tabeguache Peak via the standard route, over Mt. Shavano.
From 10,500', hike up through dense trees on a decent trail -
1 and
2. Near 11,200', the trees thin out a bit and the trail reaches a flat area near a small tarn. STOP! You'll probably notice that the trail continues east toward the southwest ridge. Don't go there. Once you see the tarn (
3), turn left
, hike past the tarn and continue north along the east side of Jennings Creek -
3 and
4. Without a trail, continue north by staying near the base of the talus on your right -
5 and
6. Near 11,700', stay out of the willows by ascending slightly east away from the creek -
7. Continue along the center of the creek (
8 and
9) and angle northwest near 12,300' to reach the upper end of the basin -
10. Just ahead is the ridge which connects 13er Carbonate Mountain (left) and Tabegauche Peak -
10. Locate a trail leading up to the ridge and ascend to a small saddle -
11,
12 and
13.
From the 12,600-foot saddle
, turn right and follow the ridge east toward Point 13,936', which blocks your view of Tabeguache -
14. Near 13,000', gain a small point (
15) where you'll get a better view of Point 13,936' -
16. Follow the ridge (
17 and
18) up to 13,600' to reach some rust-colored rock -
19. Stay left and continue up steeper terrain to reach the top of Point 13,936' -
20 and
21. Some people choose to bypass the top of Point 13,936' but the best option is to go over the top.
Drop from Point 13,936
and continue east along the ridge (
22) to reach a low point, near 13,800' -
23. Staying on or just right of the ridge crest, ascend a false summit (
24) to finally see Tabeguache's summit, over 0.2 miles away -
25. Hike over a couple of points along the summit ridge by staying on or right of the ridge crest -
26,
27 and
28. This last section of ridge is the crux of the route and a bit of route-finding may be required to keep the difficulty at Class 2. Taken from the summit,
29 looks back on the upper route. DESCEND VIA THE SAME ROUTE: You must hike back over Point 13,936'. DO NOT take a shortcut down the southwest ridge or descend early into McCoy Gulch.
GPX Track File
