If you parked below the trailhead, walk up the 4WD road or the left side of the basin (
1), to reach the area of the trailhead, near 11,600' -
2. It's 0.9 mile from the start of the 4WD road/Cinnamon Pass junction to the trailhead. Continue south into American Basin -
3. Follow the standard trail (or general location of it) to 12,200'. The trail climbs a hill ahead (
4) but the west slopes route is not in that direction. Turn left to see the west slopes above and east -
5. On the left (north) side of the slopes locate a long, broad couloir (
6) that is used for this climb.
Hike northeast over a drainage to reach the base near 12,300' -
7. The climb from here to 13,100' is straightforward: Climb east up the couloir -
8 and
9. Taken near 12,700',
10 provides a good look at the upper route. Above 13,000', the couloir broadens and the line to the summit starts to angle a bit to the right. Reach steeper terrain near 13,100' -
11. The couloir averages 32 degrees and has a max angle of approximately 38 degrees, near 13,200'.
12 and
13 provide different views of the area. Above 13,700', the terrain flattens out as the couloir fades away -
14 and
15. Continue up and turn right to reach the summit -
16 and
17.
West Slopes
GPX Track File
