Taken from the Cottonwood Pass (306) road,
1 shows the upper route. From the trailhead, follow the broad trail heading north into the forest. After about 1 mile, cross the Denny Creek stream on a log bridge
. After approximately 1.3 miles, reach the Hartenstein Lake/Mt. Yale trail junction
and turn right (
2). Continue weaving through the forest, eventually paralleling the stream in Delaney Gulch.
Near 11,200', cross the Delaney Gulch stream on a log bridge
(
3). After passing some small meadows, the trail climbs steeply, first heading north and then east up a hillside (
4 and
5). Above 12,100', the trail leaves the trees and ascends through rocky terrain as you approach a shoulder (
6 and
7). Once on the shoulder, head northeast toward Yale's upper west slopes (
8,
9, and
10). Near 13,200', the slope steepens significantly (
11). Push through 750 feet of elevation gain to reach 13,950' at a saddle
on Yale's northwest ridge.
Turn right and approach the base of the rugged summit ridge (
12). Follow the cairned, Class 2, boulder-hopping route along the west (right) side of the ridge crest, or scramble along the crest itself to increase the difficulty to Easy Class 3 (
13 and
14). Continue to the spacious summit (
15,
16, and
17).
GPX Track File
