Mount Valois – 13,173

RT Length from City Reservoir: 6.75 miles

Elevation Gain from City Reservoir: 2310’

RT Length from Endlich Mesa Trailhead: 21.45 miles

Elevation Gain from Endlich Mesa Trailhead: 5078’

The approach to City Reservoir is a total of 7.35 miles and 1220’ of elevation gain (but also over 1500’ of elevation loss) from Endlich Mesa Trailhead and City Reservoir.  You can view the approach to the saddle here. 

I awoke from my campsite at City Reservoir and was on the trail at 7am.  I followed the Endlich Mesa Trail towards Lake Marie.

When I reached the south end of the lake, where a stream flows out, I crossed the stream

After crossing the stream I headed northeast towards the ridge and the rocky outcropping.  The ridge actually has a lot of route finding, so I’ll do my best to explain how to navigate it.  This is all class 2, with route finding below treeline.

At the first rock outcropping, head for the tree that’s cut in half at the top of the rocks

Next, ascend this small gully

And continue heading northeast

You will eventually come to this wall.  If you navigate around to the left, you’ll find a grassy ramp to ascend.  Ascend, then walk back towards the wall to navigate around the rocks. 

After going east around the large rock face, again head northeast along the ridge.  You’ll encounter another large rock face.  This time, go right, and ascend a grassy gully.

Now you should be looking at the rocky ridge, but at least you’re above treeline. I pretty much stayed to the center of the ridge, and kept heading northeast, following the ridge.  If you have an option to go left on grassy slopes, do that. 

From here on out, this is a straightforward hike.  I climbed northeast up this class 2 ridge to a rather large cairn.

From there I headed east towards this large cairn, but I could have just kept heading northeast along the ridge.

From this second large cairn I followed the ridge towards Mount Valois.  It may look daunting, but it’s all class 2.  The ridge goes, but if it feels sketchy there’s a way to drop down to the left and use game trails. 

Here are some pictures of the ridge. 

Then it’s an easy rocky tundra walk to the summit

I summited Mount Valois at 7:45am

Mount Valois:

Now to head back to City Reservoir.  I retraced my steps back down to the ridge

Then across the ridge

Here are some pictures of the route back down to Lake Marie

Back down the gully

And across the rocky ledge

Then southwest towards Lake Marie

I crossed the stream, and headed south on the Endlich Mesa Trail back to City Reservoir.

I made it back to City Reservoir at 9:30am, making this a 6.5 mile hike with 2310’ of elevation gain from City Reservoir in 3.5 hours. 

On to the next trailhead!