From Mc Nasser Gulch : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

This is a loop hike that allows you to climb the west summit, follow the short ridge-top to the east summit and then descend from the east summit.

As mentioned in the main page, the trail that supposedly goes from Mc Nasser Gulch Trail to the ridge-top near Ouray, does not seem to exist. The route mentioned here will take you up steep slopes. Obviously, when snow is present, danger of avalanche on these slopes will be high.

Getting There

Directions to Mc Nasser Gulch Trailhead:

From Independence Pass on Route 82, drive 9.3 miles east (or 14.5 miles west from junction of Routes 82 and 24) to the “South Fork of Lake Creek Road” (FR 391) (the parking area for La Plata Peak Trail is in the same area). This is a dirt road that is rough with many pot holes but is technically a 2WD road.

Turn south onto the South Fork of Lake Creek Road. At 2.8 miles go straight (right). After 3.3 miles you will reach the junction of “Mc Nasser Gulch Road” (FR 394). This is your trailhead (10760 ft)

4WD can continue another 1.1 miles to road closure at 11360 ft.

Route Description

All distances are per my GPS

Place…..……….Elevation (ft).…Distance (miles)

Trailhead……….10760………….zero

Rd Closure……...11360…………1.1

Shack…………...11650……….....0.6

Rocky Area……..12620…………0.35

West Summit……………………..0.15

East Summit…….12957………….0.17

Saddle…………..12420…………0.55

Rd Closure……...11360…………0.72

Trailhead………..10760………….1.1

Total Loop……………………….4.74 Miles

From the trailhead, hike up the Mc Nasser Gulch road through a forest of Pine and Aspen trees.

Mc Nasser Gulch Rd

Mc Nasser Gulch Rd

After 1.1 miles, you will reach a gate (GPS Coordinates 39:02.823 North, 106:33.364 West). Motor vehicles are not allowed beyond the gate. Ouray and the steep grassy slopes that come down from the 12420 ft saddle will be seen to the north. (The route described here will bring you down from the east summit over these slopes. For now ignore the slopes and continue on the road)

Ouray

Hike another 0.6 miles beyond the gate until you see a metal shack on the right side of the trail. Leave the trail and head up the slopes through the forest. The forest is quite patchy here and you will basically be hiking up grassy slopes among the patches of woods.

Patchy Forest

Patchy Forest

The forest ends at an elevation of 12000 ft. The east summit of Ouray comes to view.

Above trees, east summit in view

Above trees

Continue up the steep grassy slopes until at around 12620 ft, you reach a rocky area. The area does not present any technical challenges.

Rocky Area Below West Summit

You will soon reach the west summit. Turn east and follow the ridge-top to the east summit.

West Summit

East Summit from West Summit

From the east summit, hike east down the grassy slopes and traverse Point 12620 ft on its north side until you reach the 12420 ft saddle.

East Summit from the Grassy Slopes to the East of it

A big bowl can be seen below you. Hike down the steep grassy slopes into the big bowl.

Bowl

At the end of the bowl, trees appear again and the Mc Nasser Gulch Rd at the road closure can bee seen at the bottom of the slopes. Hike down the patchy forest to reach the road.

Grassy Slopes

View from Grassy Slopes

Grassy Slopes

You will then follow the road back to trailhead.

Essential Gear

In summer, only hiking equipment.

External Links

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Images