Hiking – Mount Neva

Starting at the Junco TH at 10,050-ft follow the wide “Caribou Pass Trail” trail as it slowly ascends up through the trees and bypasses some beautiful meadows on the right. After about 2 miles of easy hiking we will leave the wide Caribou Pass Trail and turn right on the single-track trail to Columbine Lake. Follow this trail another mile through some delicate wetlands and on to Columbine Lake. 

Once at the lake, locate the saddle connecting point 11,831 and Neva’s northwest ridge. There is a faint trail that ascends the grassy slope all the way to the saddle. From the saddle start your ascent up Neva’s steep, talus-laden northwest ridge. At first the ridge is quite steep, requiring a little route finding to bypass some steep walls of rock. After the initial half-mile of tough class 2 hiking the degree of difficulty relents to a leisurely stroll up grassy slopes. From the upper grassy slopes of the northwest ridge angle right a little to head directly to Neva’s summit. If you have the time and weather I recommend heading towards the class 4 north ridge, which is to the left. Viewing Neva’s technical ridge is a treat and is worth the side trip. Ascending to the summit from here is an easy class 1 hike of about a quarter mile.

More details on this route can be found on Northwest Ridge loop variation : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost ... or by watching this 20-minute YouTube video by Nick Sangetta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7reTNjWqU8

Meet at 5:45am at the Wooly Mammoth Park n Ride Lot, Section EE, so we can leave no later than 6:00am.  The Wooly Mammoth Park n Ride is at the Morrison Exit (Exit 259) off I-70, just west of C-470.   Here’s a Google Maps link to Wooly Mammoth:  https://goo.gl/maps/yrw12Cq7rkAmtoom9

 We will be starting our hike at the Junco Lake Trailhead.  It’s off of US40 just past Fraser and Winter Park.  Here’s a link to directions to the trailhead: https://goo.gl/maps/XXRCydCf1Rpf37zK8  .