Optional Descent (cont.)
Go west down the very narrow ridge poised
above a steep drop. Don’t fool around on the
overhang. After a minor top (shown in photo)
the going gets steep. Follow the eroded
(flood damage) trail down to where it gets
really steep and there is a mini rockslide.
LEAVE THE TRAIL NOW going RIGHT of the
rockslide in a strip of meadow, which soon
opens up into a big meadow. Follow this
down the middle of the bowl, going left to
the ridgeline again where you can see it
comes out of pines. But before you get there,
go down the descender’s leftmost (south
most) gully, one of many that drain the
slope. It is very important to follow THIS
gully and not a different one.
The gully curves left below the ridge,
descending steeper than it looks and going
on for longer than it looks, through aspens,
eventually depositing you at the road less
than 100 meters from where you are parked.
There is a gate in the barb wire fence.
DISCLAMER
Off-trail walking is an activity which requires skill,
judgment, and knowledge which can only be gained
with experience. It is shocking how some people,
though adept at walking and scrambling, have none of
the mountain sense learned through years of
experience in mountain wandering and familiarity with
the mountains in all weathers. Until you are
experienced, go with someone who knows what they
are doing or stick to the official trails. Turn back if it
looks too hard or too long for you, if you can’t manage
the route finding, if inclement weather is coming, or if
one of your group members is having trouble.
Mountain weather is very unpredictable and can
change very fast. Always bring a compass and know
how to use it. The maps I include are not meant to be
used for navigation; merely as reference. Maps for
these regions are available from any mountain gear
shop.
North Star Academy, the author, nor the publisher(s)
are not responsible if you have a horrible day or get
yourself into a fix.