Once again you'll access this summit by driving up from Clear Creek Reservoir toward Winfield. From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, turn west on CR 390, a graded dirt road. This road is just short of 15 miles north of the main light in Buena Vista - town center; a little over 19 miles south of Leadville; or 4.3 miles south of the US 24/SH 82 junction. Drive west on CR 390 for 9.25 miles appx. to a road that turns off to the right, just after some large beaver ponds. This short road leads to a trailhead parking area. The trail you'll be using is #1776, and is one of the segments of the Colorado Trail. 4WD vehicles can make it another .2 mile before having to park. This segment is usually a part of the Leadville 100 foot race and is considered a "crux" section, in part because of the 2,670 foot gain to "Hope Pass." If you come to the turnoff for "Rockdale," you've gone too far. Turn back about .4 miles. The parking area has room for several vehicles and sits amid lodgepole forest.
There used to be some primitive sites at the trailhead, but if they've been closed, then you can probably "car camp" at the trailhead. There are numerous primitive sites all along CR 390 on the drive in. Weekends though can make it tough to find a spot to stay for the night unless you arrive early. The only designated camping is back at Clear Creek Res.