Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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38.43940°N / 109.2594°W |
Route Type:
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Hike |
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Time Required:
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Most of a day |
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Difficulty:
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Walk-up, scree |
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Approach
See "Getting There".Route Description
Trailhead Elevation: 10125 ftOne Way Distance: 2.2 miles
Hike up a meadow on the north side of La Sal Pass toward a stand of pine trees (You will soon lose the view of Tukuhnikivatz). Go to the left/west margin of the trees where you will find the remains of an old two-track. Follow the two-track through the forest till you reach a steep treeless slope covered with grasses only (10600 ft). You must leave the two-track and turn left/northwest going straight up the steep slope to the top of a ridge (11150 ft) where the summit of Tukuhnikivatz reappears (to the west). You will then find a faded old trail that follows the top of the steep ridge north through dwarf pine trees, past the treeline (11500 ft) and over alpine tundra to a saddle (11900 ft) at the base of the summit of Tukuhnikivatz to the west. Turn west and head toward the summit. The alpine tundra gives way to loose rock that shifts easily under foot. Struggle up the loose rocks to the summit. (From the saddle, you could have turned east and followed the "Razor Fang" ridge to reach the summit of Peale. This ridge has been rated as the most difficult route in the La Sals. There are much easier ways to climb Peale).