by ClimbingCooneys » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:10 pm
Completed West Elk Peak Sat., June 22 from FR 724 access to trailhead. I'd say 80% or more of the hike is on tundra. Easy going almost all the way. The only "problem" is when you approach the abrupt cliff above Mill Basin along the ridge as you're heading north. Game trails led us around on the west side, contouring along over a rib and into another gully where we were able to ascend back to the ridge and continue along our way. Games trails covered much of this overall ridge walk. We saw bear & deer on the drive in, eagle and a large group of elk in Mill Basin. Lots of Mountain goat prints & droppings but never actually spotted any. FR 724 is drivable by most any passenger car to the trailhead, though somewhat washboarded. Did not encounter any snow problems. We estimated our mileage to be 14 - 15 and total elevation gain at least over 4,000 and probably apprached 5,000 after adding up all the additional we did by staying up on the ridge for the return for most of the way.
Mike - thanks for the route recommendation on 13,060. Was leaning going that way, but was concerned about difficult talus & boulders like you encounter in Pierre Lakes area. It's not a "walk-in-the-park" in that area!
Beaten paths are for beaten men.