If you're starting at the 2WD trailhead, hike approx. 0.5 mile up the Missouri Lakes trail to reach a small clearing where you can see the 4WD trailhead down to your left. If you're starting at the 4WD trailhead (photos on trailhead page), cross the creek and walk a short distance to intersect the trail. Follow the excellent, rocky trail (
1,
2) which crosses Missouri Creek a couple of times and has wooden bridges over some of the wet areas -
3. After 2.5 miles (2 miles if you parked at the 4WD TH), cross a stream (
4). Continue for another 0.25 mile to reach a small clearing where you can see Point 12,898' ahead -
5. There's no need to continue all the way to the lakes and your goal is to gain the northeast ridge, so this is a good place to leave the trail.
Turn left and hike south through clearings and past small ponds (
6 and
7) until you reach open terrain near the talus slopes below the ridge -
8. Continue southeast along the base of the slope (
9,
10,
11) to reach the crest of the NE ridge, near 11,700' -
12.
Turn right and gain the ridge to see a steep, grassy point -
13. Staying left of the rocks (
14) will keep the difficulty at Class 2. Once you've climbed this point, the remaining ridge to the summit is obvious -
15. Walk along the ridge to reach steeper terrain at 12,400' (
16) and even steeper above 12,600' - (
17). At 13,000', the angle eases (
18) near the top of the Savage couloir -
19 and
20. Continue a bit farther to reach the summit -
21.
(WINTER) HOLD ON! If you don't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner. All 14er routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter.
