Elevation: 2530 m
Degree of Difficulty:
Easy
Time to Complete Round Trip:6 - 10 hours, depending on where you leave the ridge
Information:
If you don't mind sharing the mountain with others, then this is a good early-season warmup.
Where to Park:
Park at the Little Elbow campground, on the North end of highway 66. The campground can be found just before the paved section of Highway 66 ends and the turkey trail (proceed at your own risk) begins.
The Route (see photo below):
Find the Little Elbow Trail and follow it beside the Little Elbow River for about 1 km. Then turn right at the Nihahi Ridge Trail (marked).
Head up the trail, which winds through forest and open meadows, until you break past the treeline. Keep heading upward and soon you'll be on the ridge proper. The ridge is sloping on your left and drops away on your right. Watch your footing and proceed along the ridge for as far as you like.
You can scramble off to your left at any time to make your way to the permanently dry Nihahi Creek. Follow this dry creek left (south) and watch for a trail on the left of the dry creek. This trail will help you avoid the steep Nihahi Creek canyon ahead, and it will also lead you back to the Little Elbow River trail.
