As a more challenging alternative to the saddle, ascend the darkened scree slope about halfway up (east/right) on the ridge. This takes you to about 13,600', and portions are class 3 with slippery 45-50 degree pitch.
We took this route by mistake while following the first group up in our early morning grogginess... the route is creating something of a gash in the mountain so you may want to avoid this route for environmental reasons.
Gerry Roach's popular 'Colorado Fourteeners' book shows the 4WD parking in the wrong place on the map. It has the altitude correct, but it shows the location far up the road/trail from where it really is. It's also fairly hard to identify the passenger car trailhead unless there are already cars parked there.
In the winter, if the snow has hardened up, it makes for a nicer climb to pick a snow-covered line straight up Sherman's face. The 45-50 degree snow is very efficient, but I can't imagine climbing the underlying talus-pile would be pleasant. Also in winter, you can avoid wandering along the mining roads by following the prominent gully between the parking lot and gate.
djilk - Jul 5, 2005 2:24 pm - Hasn't voted
Route CommentAs a more challenging alternative to the saddle, ascend the darkened scree slope about halfway up (east/right) on the ridge. This takes you to about 13,600', and portions are class 3 with slippery 45-50 degree pitch.
We took this route by mistake while following the first group up in our early morning grogginess... the route is creating something of a gash in the mountain so you may want to avoid this route for environmental reasons.
djilk - Jul 5, 2005 3:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Route CommentGerry Roach's popular 'Colorado Fourteeners' book shows the 4WD parking in the wrong place on the map. It has the altitude correct, but it shows the location far up the road/trail from where it really is. It's also fairly hard to identify the passenger car trailhead unless there are already cars parked there.
seano - Jan 18, 2010 12:30 am - Hasn't voted
Winter routeIn the winter, if the snow has hardened up, it makes for a nicer climb to pick a snow-covered line straight up Sherman's face. The 45-50 degree snow is very efficient, but I can't imagine climbing the underlying talus-pile would be pleasant. Also in winter, you can avoid wandering along the mining roads by following the prominent gully between the parking lot and gate.