Endlich Mesa Trail – Wild Wanderer

RT Length to City Reservoir: 7.5 miles

EG to City Reservoir: 1250’

City Reservoir is a good place to set up basecamp for several 13ers in the area, including Mount Valois, Amherst Mountain, Organ Mountain, Peak Twenty-Two and Sheep Mountain.

However, getting there can be kind of tricky, especially if you don’t have a 4WD vehicle. There’s a good place to park about 11 miles below the Endlich Mesa trailhead, just after the Florida Campground. The next 11 miles will be 4WD. Think a step up from South Colony Lakes trailhead. There were a lot of mudholes, even though it hadn’t rained in days, rock slabs to navigate, and rocks along the road. Here are a few pictures of the lower parking area and 11 mile long 4WD road:

As you can see, two Ford Rangers made it to the trailhead.

Endlich Mesa Trail starts at the northeast end of the parking area, is easy to identify, and has a trail register.

I started hiking north along this well established, class 1 trail. There are large cairns to guide the way. I followed Endlich Mesa Trail all the way to the reservoir. The trail started off gaining in elevation. I gained over 1100’ of elevation over 4.5 miles. First, starting in the trees, then hiking along the wide, open Endlich Mesa.

After hiking for 4.5 miles it’s time to lose 1350’ of elevation in 2.3 miles as I headed towards City Reservoir. I would head back down into treeline to get too the reservoir. (Spoiler alert: this is not fun to regain on the way back, and feels like way more than 1350’, especially with a full pack).

The west side of City Reservoir is where I made my basecamp.

The fishing here was amazing! 3 casts and 3 fish later and I was cooking dinner. I stayed here for 3 nights, and had fish every night. In an hour I’d catch and release 30-40 fish. At this time campfires are allowed, but you need to camp at least 100 feet from the water. This was also a popular place to camp, and not everyone seemed to read the rules. There were two groups set up with at least 20 people, so campsites were limited, but luckily I got there first and secured a great spot with a waterfall directly in front of and another behind my campsite.

RT Length to Saddle from City Reservoir: 3.5 miles

EG to Saddle from City Reservoir: 2000’

The next morning, I had beta on how to get to the Emerson/Peak Twenty Two saddle, and I used it, and vowed to find a better way on the descent. I’m not sure my way is better, but it is more straightforward. I hope this information is helpful.

I spent the night near the reservoir, and was on the trail at 6am to head to the Emerson/Peak Twenty Two saddle. I continued following the Endlich Mesa Trail north towards Logtown (which isn’t really a town… there’s nothing there).

After hiking for about .9 miles I came to a waterfall, and crossed the creek just above the waterfall.

I found a large rock slab, and stayed to the right of it, heading northeast into the basin.

Once in the basin, I found a game trail not listed on maps to the left of the creek, that was very easy to follow.

I followed this trail until I was parallel with a gully that ran between Emerson Mountain and PT 12843 to the east. I aimed for this gully, then climbed straight up it, eventually finding a game trail to follow east.

Here’s what that gully looks like from Mt Valois to the west

And some pictures of the upper basin and the gully

Now on a pretty established trail, I continued following it east

Past a small pond

Then left towards the Emerson/Peak Twenty Two saddle

I was now at the saddle of Emerson and Peak Twenty Two. From here I would summit Amherst Mountain, Organ Mountain, Peak Twenty Two, and Sheep Mountain.

And now for the return back to City Reservoir.

From the Emerson/Peak Twenty Two saddle, I headed west, staying to the left of the small lake.

I picked up the game trail

And followed it west back down the gully

From the base of the gully it was choose your own adventure to find the solid game trail on the other side that would lead me southwest down the gulch.

Once on the game trail, I followed it southwest to about 11600’

Once I could see the big boulder in the distance, I left the trail and headed towards it, following it to the creek and the creek crossing.

I crossed the creek, and followed the Endlich Mesa Trail back to City Reservoir.

I stayed at the reservoir for a few days, hiking other peaks. Here are some pictures of the hike from City Reservoir back to Endlich Mesa Trailhead:

NOTE: you will gain 1600’ of elevation going from the City Reservoir back to the trailhead. The elevation gain begins as soon as you’ve crossed the reservoir.