Details: Spencer Basin

An old mining road leads to the heart of Spencer Basin, a beautiful, unspoiled and seldom visited valley surrounded by 13,000-ft. peaks. Here use trails and routes lead to two scenic passes.

Trailhead to Sugarloaf Pass Junction

Distance from Trailhead: 1.8 miles (one way)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 12,220-ft.

Elevation Gain: 1,400-ft.

Note: Hikers in low clearance vehicles should park at the mine ruins near the end of County Road 4 and walk 0.8 miles up the road to the trailhead. (See driving directions below.) Walking the road will add 1.6 miles round-trip to the distance and 380-ft. to the elevation gain.

From the Spencer Basin trailhead parking area (see driving directions below), walk uphill on the dirt road, climbing moderately-steep switchbacks. You will cross Mountaineer Creek twice in the first 0.25 miles. At 0.4 miles keep left, the road branching right ends at a tram tower, visible above the trail to the north. A few more switchbacks bring you to a huge tailings pile blocking the road near a small parking area (2-3 cars).

Climb over/around the tailings on a boot beaten path leading to the continuation of the road. The road now heads southwest, ascending steeply for a short distance before crossing a gully. Beyond the gully the grade moderates as the path climbs through meadows and low shrubs. Turn around for nice views of Cunningham Gulch and Green Mountain (13,049-ft.).

After a mile the road curves to the right (west) and views open up to Peak 13,434-ft. at the head of the valley. Soon the road swings to the left and then the right. Ahead is a large rock formation. A tributary of Mountaineer Creek flows around the left (south) side of the formation and joins the main branch of Mountaineer Creek below the trail. The road now climbs steeply through white-colored rock along the right (north) side of a gully channeling the main branch of Mountaineer Creek. Ahead are views of Peak 13,409-ft. at the head of the valley.

The grade abates as the road reaches the top of the hill, crosses Mountaineer Creek and then swings to the left (southwest), ascending through meadows and scattered clusters of willows. To the south views open to Surgarloaf (12,754-ft.) and an unnamed peak to the west.

At 1.7 miles the road swings left (south) around a large rock outcropping. This feature is important in finding the trail/route climbing to the pass west of Sugarloaf. Soon the road starts curving to the right and widens. Now watch for an unmarked trail branching left (south) through a clump of willows at 1.8 miles. This is the trail to the pass.

Here you will have great views of the gray-colored ridge rimming the south side of Spencer Basin. The high peak with a squarish top anchoring the southwest end of the ridge is Mount Rhoda (13,402-ft.). Peak 13,434 rises to the north of Rhoda. Surgarloaf is the roundish peak anchoring the southeast end of the ridge. The pass, which I refer to as Sugarloaf Pass, is the saddle to the right (west) of Sugerloaf.

You now have a choice of walking to Sugarloaf pass or continuing up the valley. With an early start, fit hikers can accomplish both options in one day.

Here is the mileage and elevation gains for the various options:

• 4.2 mile to the Mine (12,420-ft.) / +1,590-ft.
• 5.4 miles RT to Sugarloaf Pass (12,690-ft.) / +1,860-ft.
• 5.6 miles to Arrasta Pass (12,940-ft.) / +2,110-ft.
• 6.2 miles combining trip to the Mine and Sugarloaf Pass /+2,050-ft.
• 7.7 miles to both passes /+2,580-ft.

Climbing to Sugarloaf Pass

Distance from Trailhead: 5.4 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 12,690-ft.

Elevation Gain: 1,860-ft.

To reach Sugarloaf Pass, follow the trail as it head south through pretty meadows with fine views of the ridge to the south and the peaks at the head of Spencer Basin. At 1.9 miles the trail curves to the left (southeast) and then crosses creek amid wet meadows at 2.1 miles.

Beyond the creek the trail fades as it crosses marshy-meadows. To the left you will see some stakes. Don’t walk toward the stakes. Instead head across the marshy meadows, aiming for a low point between two hills.

At the far end of the marshy-meadows the trail becomes evident as it ascends a low rise, staying to the left (north) or a creek. After topping the hill the grade steepens as trail climbs up the hillside, passing a small pond along the way. The ascent is accompanied by great views of the cirque at the head of Spencer Basin and the ridge rimming the north side of the valley.

Reach Sugarloaf Pass (12,690-ft.), a saddle on the ridge, at 2.7 miles. From the pass enjoy fine views of the Highland Mary Lakes Basin to the south/southeast. The Needles rise to the south beyond the basin. To the north/west the high peaks towering above Spencer Basin dominate the view while the peaks looming above the Cunningham Creek Valley and beyond fill the skyline to the northeast.

A trail of sorts climbs along the ridge to the top of Sugarloaf. There is also a trail that continues heading southwest from the pass. The path traverses the basin beyond the pass and then becomes faint as it drops down to intersect a route along the east facing slopes of Mount Rhoda. I have met hikers who use this route to form a loop with the Highland Mary Lakes but have never done so myself. This route involves off-trail hiking and requires parties to carry good maps of the area. Large herds of sheep graze these meadows so expect a lot of animal tracks to lead you astray.

I advise turning around at the pass and either returning to your vehicle via the Spencer Basin trail or continuing further up Spencer Basin. Leave the Highland Mary Lakes hike, including the loop option with the Continental Divide Trail, for another day.

To the Mine and Arrastra Pass

Distance from Trailhead: 5.6 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 12,940-ft.

Elevation Gain: 2,110-ft.

A short distance past the unmarked trail to Sugarloaf Pass the road again curves to the right and climbs steeply up a rocky hillside. The short climb ends atop a bench where the path turns to the left and ascends on easy to moderate grades.

At 2.1 miles reach a “Y” intersection with the remnants of a two-track road branching left. To the right is a flattened gravel area and a hillside with tailings and a mine shaft (about 12,420-ft.). Straight ahead is a moist meadow with a stream and small pond. Scattered around the area are evidence of mining. Turn right and walk across the gravel toward the tailings, passing the ruins of a rock building.

Beyond the tailings a faint trail heads northwest up a grassy hill, staying to the right of a seasonal creek. Talus spills down the hill along the left side of the creek. At the top of the hill, at 2.2 miles, the trail disappears. To the left (west) is the cirque ringing the head of Spencer Basin. Straight ahead to the north is an obvious saddle on the ridge rimming the north side of the basin. The unnamed saddle, which I call Arrastra Pass, is to the right (east) of Peak 13409. Below is a marshy meadow.

Here again hikers have a choice, find a place to enjoy the views at the head of the valley before retracing your steps to the trailhead or climb the saddle to the north. There is no trail to the saddle so blaze your own route. I recommend initially curving around the left side of the marshy meadows and then keeping to the grass, as much as possible, as you climb the steep slopes to Arrastra Pass (12,940-ft.). It about 0.75 miles to the pass and will take a half hour or more (depending on your conditioning).

From the pass enjoy fine views of Silver Lake and the Arrastra Basin to the north. Little Giant Peak (13,416-ft.) towers above the east side of the lake while Kendall Peak (13,451-ft.) rises to the west. When you are done enjoying the views, retrace your steps to the trailhead.