Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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37.89490°N / 107.7479°W |
Route Type:
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Hike |
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Time Required:
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Less than two hours |
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Difficulty:
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Walk-up & Class 3 scree/boulders |
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Approach
See "Getting There".Route Description
Trailhead Elevation: 12300 ftOne Way Distance per my GPS: 0.80 miles
Approximate Hiking Time (one way uphill): 1:20 hours
At the trailhead, look to the northwest to see the southeast summit of 13477. You will see a band of cliffs directly above you. Hike along the banks of the stream to reach the cliffs. The stream cuts a small channel through the cliffs. This allows you to follow the stream and go above the cliffs. When I was there, on June 30th, the upper portions of the channel were covered by a snow bank but I was able to hike the snow bank without any equipment.
Above the cliffs, you will enter the Porphyry Basin which is a wet and fairly flat area that sits at an elevation of 12600-12800 ft. You will see Three Needles directly to the west and the southeast summit of 13477 to the northwest. A 12920 ft saddle separates Three Needles from 13477. When I was there, this saddle and the approach to it were covered by a very steep snow bank.
You do not need to go to the saddle. Just go up the scree slopes of 13477 above the Porphyry Basin. Once above the snow bank, go to the crest of the ridgeline where the scree will be less slippery.