Start hiking up the dirt road that branches off of the Camp Bird Road to the right (
37.97467, -107.74118). Very soon the road ends and the trail continues eastward across an avalanche debris zone. Follow the old road bed into the timber, passing a minor trail junction on the left, and continue up the switchbacks to reach the Bimetallist Mine at 11,500' (
37.98006, -107.73538).
From the mine building
1, continue east-northeast, following reasonable social trails to the west edge of a major erosion scar. Hike uphill to the top of the erosion scar and locate a well-defined game trail
2 bearing northeast (
37.98199, -107.73432). Follow this scenic trail as it rises gradually to meet the lower east ridge
3 of Potosi Peak at 12,000' (
37.98696, -107.72994).
Cross over the ridge, bearing northwest on game trails descending into upper Senator Gulch
4. Contour northwest across the tundra, skirting below rock glaciers and talus at or just below 12,000 feet, until it is possible to hike up gentle slopes to the bench at 12,400' (
37.99144, -107.73858).
Now head west-southwest along the right margin of the talus below the adjoining cliffs
5. Scramble up easily (class 2) among the rock benches to reach the final 200-foot talus slope beneath the southeast corner of Potosi Peak. Take the path of least resistance to reach the saddle
6 above at 13,150' (
37.98859, -107.74522).
Southeast Corner:
From here two steep ramps traversing the breadth of the southeast face are apparent
7 8. It is necessary to reach the upper one to attain the southeast gully. Though it is possible and more direct to scramble up from the saddle (class 3+), to keep the route to class 2, begin hiking west across the face, maintaining the current elevation by a game trail that traverses the lower ramp.
Soon, the major weakness in the cliff separating the two ramps is encountered, directly beneath the southeast gully (
37.98841, -107.74748). This loose, steep gully once went at class 2+, but the lower portion has since flushed out key boulders, making it an unpleasant 4th class affair. It is also possible to scramble up relatively solid, easy but exposed 3rd class rock just outside this gully to the right.
To keep the route to class 2, however, continue across the ramp all the way to the southwest shoulder at 13,200'
17 (
37.98715, -107.75040).
Southwest Corner:
Turn north and scramble easily up the ridge
9 (class 2+, maybe a 3rd class move up to a ledge) to the upper ramp
7. Traverse below the cliff band back east along this ramp
10 11, passing beneath a few more difficult gullies, or follow the lower use trail at roughly 13,300', to intercept the southeast gully
12 above the aforementioned weakness (
37.98873, -107.74767). The lower part of this gully can hold snow well into summer.
Climb directly up the gravelly southeast gully, often by a packed use trail, negotiating a few class 2+ steps. The crux is a short, easy step that might be considered 3rd class
13. Above this, the path of least resistance leads eastward into the very sandy upper southeast gully. Continue up the sand briefly, looking for a couple of prominent slots on the left wall at 13,550'
14 (
37.98953, -107.74807). Exit the gully through here
15, scrambling west to attain the upper south face. Zig-zag up flaky ledges
16, hugging the climber's right side, and aiming for the east corner of the summit (
37.98993, -107.74866) to turn the short step guarding the top.
Hike west to the highpoint. It is worth visiting the slightly lower (10 feet) northwest summit, which looks tricky but goes at class 2.
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