From the trailhead parking, take the trail east and north for 0.2 mile. Pass between some large boulders (
1) and continue (
2) to a large clearing, near 10,900' -
3. Leave the trail, descend east to the creek (
4) and continue east through small clearings (
5) and up into the forest. Hike southeast to 11,100' and locate a faint trail which leads toward Lackawanna Gulch -
6. If you can't locate this trail, simply continue southeast through the forest - do not climb directly east up Mt. Champion's southwest slopes. Within earshot of the stream in Lackawanna Gulch, continue east through the forest (
7) to reach easier terrain, near 11,300' -
8. Possibly on that faint trail, parallel Lackawanna Gulch to 11,600' and then northeast up a hill, along a smaller creek -
9.
Near 12,000', choose to continue northeast all the way to the base of Champion's east ridge or leave the trail and ascend north/northwest up the south slopes -
10. The remainder of this description uses the direct, south slopes ascent. Turn left and zigzag up through the remaining trees (
11) to reach easier ground, just below the Champion Mine -
12. Pass the mine (
13 and
14) and continue north all the way to Champion's upper, east ridge, near 13,400' -
15 and
16. Turn left and walk up to the summit -
17,
18 and
19.
From the summit of Champion, adding unnamed Point 13,736' requites 1.4 miles (roundtrip) of distance and an additional 800' of elevation gain. Begin down Champion's northwest ridge where Point 13,736' comes into view -
20. Descend to the saddle (
21) and continue along the rugged, Class 2 ridge -
21 and
22. After passing some rock outcroppings, begin your ascent of Point 13,736's south ridge -
23. Pass a false summit (
24) and climb the final pitch to reach the top -
25 and
26.
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