Engineer Mountain in San Juan National Forest, CO

Hike Engineer Mountain San Juan National Forest, CO

Class 3 6.3 miles 2400 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jul 16, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Engineer Mountain GPX Track

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Engineer Mountain is a popular 12er due to its relatively short approach and short section of scrambling. It's also got some incredible views, being in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. The Pass Creek Trailhead is accessed on the west side of Coal Bank Pass, along US Hwy 550. The trail begins through a pretty wildflower-filled meadow as it slowly gains elevation and heads through the forest. It passes a cute unnamed pond and continues ascending to an alpine meadow above, where the absurdly photogenic Engineer Mountain comes into view. A social trail leaves the Pass Creek Trail and leads up to the east ridge of Engineer Mountain. The base of the peak is steep and dirty, but Austin and I made it to the talus-covered ridge crest. The majority of the ascent from here is Class 2, but there were two sections of fun Class 3 moves. The first is a chimney-like feature used to get above the crest and onto a somewhat exposed slope on the south side of the ridge. The second bit of Class 3 leads up this face and back to the ridge crest, where Class 2 leads on talus to Engineer Mountain's summit. The views were spectacular.

Note the photos are looking blurry and rough because I broke my lens a couple of days ago and condensation was building up inside. Oops!

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Engineer Mountain
12968 ft
1408 rise

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Starting through a meadow from the trailhead.
Starting through a meadow from the trailhead.
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Trail takes you through a really pretty forest.
Trail takes you through a really pretty forest.
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A few small ponds along the way.
A few small ponds along the way.
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Engineer Mountain ahead.
Engineer Mountain ahead.
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Looking back from the base of Engineer Mountain, meadows and peaks for days.
Looking back from the base of Engineer Mountain, meadows and peaks for days.
Along the social trail toward Engineer Mountain.
Along the social trail toward Engineer Mountain.
Steep and dirty approach.
Steep and dirty approach.
Looking back down the steep and dirty section.
Looking back down the steep and dirty section.
Austin coming up from the dirty approach to the Class 2 rocks. You can see the Class 3 move above.
Austin coming up from the dirty approach to the Class 2 rocks. You can see the Class 3 move above.
Looking back just before the Class 3 section.
Looking back just before the Class 3 section.
Class 3 chimney.
Class 3 chimney.
More Class 3 stuff. You can either make another move up a chimney, or traverse left around and climb up the face (pictured here).
More Class 3 stuff. You can either make another move up a chimney, or traverse left around and climb up the face (pictured here).
Class 2 scrambling up the spine.
Class 2 scrambling up the spine.
Engineer Mountain summit ahead.
Engineer Mountain summit ahead.
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Engineer Mountain summit (iPhone pano), looking north-ish.
Engineer Mountain summit (iPhone pano), looking north-ish.
Just past the Engineer Mountain summit, looking back toward the high point.
Just past the Engineer Mountain summit, looking back toward the high point.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!