OverviewWARNING: This route passes near hazardous areas. The basin and the mountain were ravaged by aggressive mining activity early in the 20th century. The Shenandoah Mine half way up the basin was razed, but much of the debris and ruins remain in the higher basin. The area is riddled with mining tunnels, and three ominous sink holes add to the potential peril. Stay clear of these hazards and minimize your contact with the tailings and mining artifacts. Stay on the route!
Stay clear of the mine tailings, artifacts and sinkholes!
Avoid the tailings dumps in Dives Basin! This is probably one of the most obscure San Juan routes on SP. It utilizes an old miner’s trail which is tricky to locate but not difficult to follow. The narrow Dives Basin is rarely visited, although the trail indicates steady use, probably by locals. It is safe to presume you’ll have the entire place to yourself, but be aware that if you or someone in your party should be injured, you’ll be on your own.
Your starting point in Cunningham Gulch involves an initial creek crossing which may be difficult in the spring or summer. Due to extreme avalanche potential, a winter ascent is not recommended. Other potential conditions dictate that the ideal time to execute this climb is in the fall.
This route traverses exceedingly steep terrain littered with loose rock and scree, and mild exposure is encountered. Your route choices may vary from this description, which could result in traversing terrain more hazardous than described here. Previous experience climbing loose San Juan terrain is highly recommended.
Normal vehicles can make it to the trailhead.
Getting ThereFrom Silverton, drive north on County 110 bound for Howardsville. At Howardsville you will cross a bridge, then take an immediate right turn as if you were going to the Old Hundred Mine Tour. The road will then fork. Stay to the right. The road will fork again, the left option going up Stony Pass. Measure from this point. Stay right and drive 1.6 miles up Cunningham Gulch to a pull-out on the right. In the circle drive is a plaque about restoring Cunningham Creek. Park well out of the way.
Route DescriptionDives Basin Route Directly west of your vehicle is Cunningham Creek, which must be crossed. The creek is at its lowest ebb in the fall and a narrow spot just west of your vehicle will facilitate an easy crossing.
Steep climbing begins immediately Once on the west side of the creek, you have two options. You can ascend steep slopes directly ahead of you, staying to the south of the tumbling stream on your right. This is a tremendously steep slope, and exposed Class 3 climbing will be encountered. About 800 feet up, you’ll need to cross the stream to intercept the miner’s trail, which climbs up the right side of Dives Basin.
The miners trail is barely visible at the bottom of the photo Your other option, which is easier and takes very little extra time, is to follow a faint trail north to your right. Look sharp for a trail contouring up the slope on the other side of the stream. You will have to cross the stream to find it, and in the fall, when the grasses are high, the trail may not be evident. Once you find the trail, follow it past a mine entrance (do not enter this ominous hole), as it makes a fast and sensible ascent to a band of trees, which it follows back to the south to breach a band of cliffs.
Stay clear of sinkholes and mining artifacts The trail eventually gets you above timberline and into Dives Basin. Cairns will occasionally mark the way. The trail gets thin at times, so pay attention and you’ll soon find yourself high in Dives Basin. Avoid the temptation to explore the hazardous mine tailings, artifacts and sinkholes.
Overview of the route to the summit The trail climbs out of Dives Basin to the north and veers away from Little Giant, presumably to get you in position to climb King Solomon, with Little Giant as an option. For a more direct ascent of Little Giant, leave the trail and contour northwest toward the mountain. Note the large gully filled with the yellow tailings dump. At the bottom of the gully on the right is a band of gray cliffs. Above these cliffs is a band of steep tundra, and above that, more cliffs breached by a narrow couloir. Above the couloir is an unassuming hump. This hump is Little Giant’s summit.
Aim your trajectory to place you on the steep tundra above the gray cliffs just below the narrow couloir. As you approach the couloir, the terrain will be patchy tundra and dirt, sprinkled with lots of loose rocks, and it is amazingly steep. Once at the couloir, direct entry would at the very least be a messy affair. Climb up rocky terrain (Class 2 or 3) on the right side of the couloir. Ascend this terrain for about thirty feet and then enter the narrow couloir. You may elect to continue climbing up along the couloir on the right (Class 3 or 4) or stay in the couloir, using the rock beside you for handholds. The scree is deep in this narrow couloir.
Top of the couloir just below the summit At the top of the couloir, walk up loose gray scree to your right and then angle left for an easy stroll up packed scree to the summit.
Retrace your steps for the return.
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 4 miles
GAIN: 3,040 feet Essential GearSUMMER AND FALL: Standard dayhike gear will do.
SPRING: Proceed with caution and take along all winter climbing gear as a safety precaution. Execute in late spring only, and use much care in crossing Cunningham Creek.
WINTER: Immediate and likely avalanche danger dictates that this route not be attempted in the winter.
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San Juan Range
