This route has quite a bit of clearly defined trail but it would be easy to get turned around if visibility were poor. Here's how we did it from Affleck CG. We parked at a turnout 150' beyond the Affleck Park gate. The turnout is on the left side and a large boulder makes it easy to see. There is a trail leading down a steep embankment to the campground, but if it is very wet it might be better to simply walk down the road to the campground gate and drop into the park.
Follow the road in the campground to cross the stream and hike the road until you pass by campsite #35. There is a restroom right there and also a distinct trail leading left (north). This trail quickly finds a wide gate, turn left and head up. Another trail crosses the northbound trail but just keep heading north (straight uphill) and you will top out at an intersection with the Killyon Canyon trail. Turn right and stay on this trail as it meanders up and then makes two switchbacks which lead to a very long ascending traverse which eventually leads to Lookout Peak.
However, after passing by a 6 foot deep pit characterized by conglomerate rock you come to a spot where the main trail heads toward Lookout Peak (up a good sized minor bump) and another trail veers right. Take this minor trail to the right, drop into forest for a series of "accordion folds" and eventually to a knoll (8,500') with a squat cairn on its apex. The cairn has a very large oval rock on top which reminded me of a gigantic russet potato.
Continue on the trail until an intersection with the Great Western Trail (GWT) at about 8,420'. Turn left and begin losing elevation to about 8,200' where the so-called Meadows Trail breaks off to the south. Stay on the GWT and climb a steep set of switchbacks and eventually contour toward the west. Here the view of Grandview is plain as day. After climbing around around the south side of a peak on your north you lose a bit of elevation before a distinct trail veers left (southwest). Leave the GWT and follow this trail (on All Trails it labels it Grandview Route) down and then again up toward an obvious ridge which leads to the sway-back saddle on top of the Grandview summit block. Here the trail is often faint but follow the ridge to the saddle and then head east toward the obvious summit of Grandview Peak. I hope these directions help you to avoid getting lost because the mileage is long enough without adding needless additional miles! :)
This is a lot of excellent information. Any interest in adding as a route page? I think the info would make a great route page and I could link it in the main text. Other wise I could just cut and paste it into the main page if you want.
Scott - Jul 31, 2013 4:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Route informationThe page needs more route information.
Moogie737 - Sep 25, 2024 8:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Route from Affleck park campgroundThis route has quite a bit of clearly defined trail but it would be easy to get turned around if visibility were poor. Here's how we did it from Affleck CG. We parked at a turnout 150' beyond the Affleck Park gate. The turnout is on the left side and a large boulder makes it easy to see. There is a trail leading down a steep embankment to the campground, but if it is very wet it might be better to simply walk down the road to the campground gate and drop into the park.
Follow the road in the campground to cross the stream and hike the road until you pass by campsite #35. There is a restroom right there and also a distinct trail leading left (north). This trail quickly finds a wide gate, turn left and head up. Another trail crosses the northbound trail but just keep heading north (straight uphill) and you will top out at an intersection with the Killyon Canyon trail. Turn right and stay on this trail as it meanders up and then makes two switchbacks which lead to a very long ascending traverse which eventually leads to Lookout Peak.
However, after passing by a 6 foot deep pit characterized by conglomerate rock you come to a spot where the main trail heads toward Lookout Peak (up a good sized minor bump) and another trail veers right. Take this minor trail to the right, drop into forest for a series of "accordion folds" and eventually to a knoll (8,500') with a squat cairn on its apex. The cairn has a very large oval rock on top which reminded me of a gigantic russet potato.
Continue on the trail until an intersection with the Great Western Trail (GWT) at about 8,420'. Turn left and begin losing elevation to about 8,200' where the so-called Meadows Trail breaks off to the south. Stay on the GWT and climb a steep set of switchbacks and eventually contour toward the west. Here the view of Grandview is plain as day. After climbing around around the south side of a peak on your north you lose a bit of elevation before a distinct trail veers left (southwest). Leave the GWT and follow this trail (on All Trails it labels it Grandview Route) down and then again up toward an obvious ridge which leads to the sway-back saddle on top of the Grandview summit block. Here the trail is often faint but follow the ridge to the saddle and then head east toward the obvious summit of Grandview Peak. I hope these directions help you to avoid getting lost because the mileage is long enough without adding needless additional miles! :)
Scott - Sep 25, 2024 9:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Route from Affleck park campgroundThis is a lot of excellent information. Any interest in adding as a route page? I think the info would make a great route page and I could link it in the main text. Other wise I could just cut and paste it into the main page if you want.