Fish Creek

Route Description

From the parking spot, start heading northeast along Fish Creek. Fish Creek is similar to a swamp in areas, and I was soon soaking wet. You’ll have to cross Fish Creek and other smaller streams several times. Keep climbing up Fish Creek, and you will eventually end up on the west side of it. At about 10,600’, you’ll reach the bottom of a steep grass slope.

Climb up the grassy slope. Continue climbing up through the forest. At about 11,000’, you’ll break out of the trees at the base of a rock scree slope. Climb up the scree slope. Continue climbing up the scree and grass slopes on the west side of Fish Creek. The slope steepens in one area, but the climbing isn’t very difficult. Your goal is to reach the broad saddle between Dolores and Middle Peaks. As you get higher, the grade moderates, and the climbing gets easier. As you approach the broad saddle, you will see that there are actually two separate, smaller saddles separated by Point 12,770’. For Middle Peak, head to the left of Point 12,770’. If you want to climb Dolores Peak, you would need to head to the right of the point. Climb up to the 12,680’ saddle between Middle Peak and Point 12,770’.

Once at the saddle, turn left and start heading up the broad scree slope leading to Middle Peak. Once you reach 13,200’, you will crest a false summit and reach the summit ridge, which is about 1,000’ long. The ridge almost immediately narrows into somewhat of a knife-edge. It’s only a few feet wide in places. Continue up the ridge and press on to the true summit, which is marked by a cairn.

Hiking Distance: About 6 miles round trip.
Elevation Gain: About 3,300’.

Images

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