
Starting from the Eldorado Trailhead along a well-defined trail.


The trail leads down into a drainage. There was water when I visited.

This massive boulder marked the spot I'd turn off to the right later to head up to Nelson Benchmark.

But first before peak bagging, head deeper into the canyon and down to the Bridge Spring Arch.

Bridge Spring Arch.

Back at that boulder, I headed south along the ridgeline leading to Nelson Benchmark.

Looking north toward the rest of the Eldorado Wilderness. Mt. Stocker on the right, Pigs in Zen Peak on the left.

Following the ridgeline south.

Nelson Benchmark ahead.


Another view looking back toward the rest of the Eldorado Wilderness.

Nelson Benchmark up on the right.

Nelson Benchmark, with views of the peaks I'll be doing. Mt. Stocker on the right, Lonesome Peak center left, and Pigs in Zen Peak on the far left.

Nelson Benchmark summit looking south toward the town of Nelson.

Just some water I found near the base of Nelson Benchmark.

Back in the main canyon (the one that leads to Bridge Spring Arch), head north.

A break in the cliff band allows you to head east toward Mt. Stocker.

Gully leading to lower ground. Lonesome Peak on the left, Mt. Stocker right.

Mt. Stocker ahead.

My chosen weakness to ascend Mt. Stocker.

Class 2 gully heading east.

Looking east at the top of the gully. Head through here and to the right, behind Mt. Stocker.

Work your way around the east side of Mt. Stocker and locate a Class 2+ route. Anything harder doesn't lead to the summit. I know because I dumbly tried a few.

On the Class 2 east face of Mt. Stocker, looking east.

Last bit of Class 2 leading to Mt. Stocker's summit.

Mt. Stocker summit, looking southwest, Nelson Benchmark on the right.

Mt. Stocker summit, looking north. Lonesome Peak visible on the left.

Back off Mt. Stocker, headed north through a wash toward Lonesome Peak (center).

Along a ridge leading up to Lonesome Peak.

Looking back toward Mt. Stocker along the ridge to Lonesome Peak.

Lonesome Peak ahead.


Class 2 stuff leading to Lonesome Peak summit.

Lonesome Peak summit, looking west. Mt. Stocker on the left.

Heading west down off Lonesome Peak, Pigs in Zen Peak visible in the center. Do not follow the ridgeline to the slope ahead.. There are cliff bands everywhere. Instead, get to lower ground and re-ascend.

A little canyon to get up to the slope leading to Pigs in Zen Peak.

Eastern slope leading to Pigs in Zen Peak.

Looking back toward Lonesome Peak.

Class 2+ stuff to gain the summit ahead. It's not clear where the summit is until it's right in front of you.

Pigs in Zen Peak on the right.

Pigs in Zen Peak summit, looking north. Lonesome Peak on the right.

Pigs in Zen Peak looking south. Mt. Stocker on the left, Nelson Benchmark far right.

Descending from Pigs in Zen Peak.

I followed any number of gullies, canyons, and ridges to get back to the trailhead. It's a bit of a maze, so choose your own adventure. This is a photo looking back at Pigs in Zen Peak.

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