When beginning your climb of Little Giant via Dives Basin, you may elect to use an old miner's trail, if you can find it. The trail is barely evident in this photo near the bottom, center, due to tall fall grasses.

To find the trail from your vehicle, cross Cunningham Creek to its west side, then hike north along the creek. Cross another creek coming down from Dive's Basin and keep a sharp eye open for signs of the trail as it contours and climbs due north below a band of black streaked cliffs.

Once on the trail, it is easy to follow. The trail utilizes a weakness in the cliffs, following a band of trees back to the left seen in this photo. The trail climbs steep and steady into Dives Basin, where cairns will occasionally mark the way.

Dives Basin Route, Little Giant Peak, San Juan Mountains, Fall, 2006.

Digital photo by Aaron Johnson