Tabegauche Peak West Ridge

The route begins and ends at the unmarked Jennings Creek trailhead, at 10,500 feet, and reaches the summit of Tabeguache Peak for a round trip of about 8 miles. From the trailhead, hike north through dense trees on a decent trail. Near 11,200 feet, the trees thin at a flat area by a small tarn, a critical junction: the trail continues east toward the old, closed southwest ridge route, but do not follow it. Turn left at the tarn and head north along Jennings Creek's east side. From here there is no trail: continue north near the base of talus on your right, angling east near 11,700 feet to avoid willows, then follow the creek and angle northwest near 12,300 feet to the upper basin, below the ridge connecting Carbonate Mountain and Tabeguache. Pick up a trail to a small saddle at 12,600 feet. From the saddle, turn right and follow the ridge east toward Point 13,936', which blocks the view of Tabeguache. Near 13,600 feet, stay left past rust-colored rock and climb steeper terrain over the point. Crux: Drop to a low point near 13,800 feet, then climb a false summit, staying on or right of the crest, before Tabeguache's summit comes into view about 0.2 miles away. This final stretch requires careful route-finding to stay at Class 2. Descend the same way, back over Point 13,936'. Do not descend early into McCoy Gulch to the south; it ends in cliffs.