1 shows the route seen from Colorado 82. From the parking area, walk down South Fork Lake Creek road 100 yards, cross a vehicle bridge (
2) and continue on the road for 1/4 mile to a trail sign on the left -
3. Walk east into the woods and continue on the good trail. Hike through the forest and cross South Fork Lake Creek on a metal+wood bridge
-
4. Turn sharply right up from the bridge, walk another 1/3 mile and cross La Plata Gulch on a log bridge. Turn right and reach a small clearing shortly after the bridge crossing where you may find a thin trail that heads off to the east - be sure to stay
right on the main trail. Continue south along La Plata Gulch. Between 10,400' and 10,700', the trail has log and stone steps (
5) which make the steep ascent through the forest a bit easier.
Above 11,000', hike along La Plata Gulch (
6) before the trail heads left, away from the gulch. Near 11,400', ascend a steep gully
with a series of small switchbacks -
7. Near 11,800', the trail straightens out and traverses south across the hillside -
8. Near 12,300', reach a flat area and a large, square boulder
. Walk through an open area before turning left toward the northwest ridge -
9. Once on the ridge
(12,750'), you are still 1.25 miles from the summit and the hiking becomes more difficult. The remaining route weaves through the rocks on or just below the ridge crest.
10 and
11 show a couple of different views of the terrain above. Hike to the base of a buttress and follow the trail to the right, to the west side of the ridge. Taken from a lower elevation,
12 shows the area. This is the most confusing part of the hike because talus makes route-finding a bit difficult. Follow the trail as it eventually turns left back to the ridge. If you lose the trail and feel you have gone too far along the west side, turn left and re-gain the ridge crest. Reach the ridge crest near a flat spot at 13,500' -
13. The summit is visible but steep hiking remains and the trail may be hard to follow -
14. Near 13,800', the trail becomes more defined as it ascends the right edge of the ridge. Above 14,000', swing west to reach a point -
15. Turn left and follow the trail to the summit
-
16,
17 and
18.