At the north end of the upper parking area, locate the trail for Music Pass (
1 and
2) and walk 1.25 miles to reach Music Pass, at 11,400' -
3. From the Pass you get a beautiful view over Sand Creek to 13ers Tijeras Peak and Music Mountain. Staying on the trail, descend northwest 0.75 mile and 450' of elevation to reach the flats, near Sand Creek and continue northwest on the well-defined trail. Pass a small trail junction (
4) and continue on the main trail (
5) to reach the junction for Lower Sand Creek Lake -
6.
Turn left, cross the creek on a log bridge and follow the Lower Sand Creek Lake trail southwest up through the forest -
7 and
8. Zigzag for a mile and ~400' of elevation gain to reach the east side of Lower Sand Creek Lake -
9 and
10. Near the shore, turn right and follow a trail northwest along the shore -
11. After more than 0.1 mile, leave the shore trail and hike NORTH up into the forest, without a trail. When you reach 11,600' and flatter terrain, turn left and continue west into clearings -
12. Angle into the drainage east of Music Mountain and follow it out of the trees -
13. The terrain in the drainage/gully eases above 12,000' where much of the remaining route comes into view -
14.
As you approach the upper drainage, locate a notch near the base of Music's east ridge -
15. Hike up into the notch to reach the crest of the east ridge -
16,
17 and
18. The "walk" is over and the remaining route is Class 3. Staying just left of the ridge crest, climb a steep Class 3 section to regain the ridge -
19. Now on easier terrain, continue toward the top of the east ridge -
20 and
21. When you reach the top of the ridge (13,300'), you can see the summit 0.25 miles off to the northwest -
22. Hike along the summit ridge, drop left to bypass some difficulties (
23 and
24) and continue to the summit -
25 and
26.
(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.
