Distance
5.7 mi to summit
13.4 mi total
Elevation
7,834 ft start
12,933 ft max
Vertical
5,333 ft gain
Time
8 hr 3 min to summit
16 hr 31 min total
I left the trail just past The Pool and crossed over to the North side of Spruce Creek. I knew it would take time to bushwhack up the ridge, but I underestimated the denseness of the forest. It was tough! I expended all of my energy getting up it and the rest of the day was slow going. I kept regretting my decision to take this route, but I persisted to the summit. From Stapps, Stones Peak was an easy walk across the tundra. Coming down was just as slow and I ran out of water and daylight. Lessons learned!
Route name
out-and-back
Obstacles
routefinding, stream crossing, bushwhacking
Key gear
GPS device