This is the standard route and easiest way to hike Atlantic Peak. From the paved, 2wd trailhead hike or drive (good-clearance Awd/4wd) 1.4 miles up Mayflower Gulch road to reach the Boston Mine area, at 11,500'. Park on the side of the road or in one of the pull-offs near the gate, just below the mine.
Pass the gate (
2) and before reaching the old mine buildings, turn left and walk over to the willows in the center of Mayflower Creek. Bash through 50 yards of willows and hike north to the other side of Mayflower Creek -
3. Continue north up through the trees on a faint trail, toward Mayflower Hill -
4. If you can't find the trail, no worries, just keep hiking north until you reach Pacific Creek, near 11,800' -
5. Follow the trail east along the south side of the creek until it disappears, near 12,100'. Continue southeast along the creek and angle right to reach the north side of Atlantic's lower, west ridge, near 12,300' -
6 and
7.
Ascend talus to reach the ridge crest, near 12,500' -
8 and
9. Continue east on mostly-stable talus (
10) and you'll find the ridge narrows above 12,700' -
11 and
12. With much of the remaining route in view, keep hiking (
13) to reach the crux of the route - a steep section, near 13,300' -
14. Keep the difficulty at Class 2 by staying just left of the ridge crest (
15) to reach easier ground, at 13,400'. Gain the remaining 400' by staying on or left of the ridge crest (
16,
17 and
18) to reach the summit -
19.
GPX File
