The Guide To the Colorado Mountains 9th Edition offers a possible route by hiking to the saddle between UN13,410 (S.5) and S.6, then following up the south and east ridge of S.6 to reach the summit. Our more direct route takes you up the south facing gullies of S.6. The route description assumes a backpack into the basin south of Mears and S.6 on the Iron Mountain Trail and a campsite location at about 10,900 ft. Mileage and elevation gain for S.6 are measured from that possible campsite.
From the trees and grassy areas at 10,800 - 10,900 ft., hike up valley on the south side of the stream through trees utilizing sporadic game trails. You have an excellent choice of spotting some elk through here. the trees will end at about 11,700 ft. Keep following the tundra on the side of the stream course and walk up to a tundra bench level just below 12,000 ft. Stroll on up this bench and then ascend another pitch on mostly tundra to a higher basin at 12,300 ft. This will be your last tundra. Everything above here is mostly lichen-encrusted rock. The summit of S.6 can be seen from here as the highest point you can see on the summit block, NNE from where you stand.
Dropping from the summit, there are two, shallow, parallel couloirs. The one on the right is what you can aim for. Both of the couloirs empty into another that slashes diagonally across the south face of the peak, and from your present vantage point, cannot really be seen. It is hidden by a protruding rock rib in the center of the south face, that follows a similar diagonal line, ascending from the left to the right. Head for the left end of this rock rib, walking gingerly over 200 - 300 feet of boulder rubble. (In earlier season, there may be snow in areas, especially behind this rib.) Behind the rock rib, you'll see the gully that follows alongside the rib. Head up the gully and use the walls of the rock rib for a handrail as you try to amble up more precariously perched rubble.
As the gully begins to play out, take the second (higher) of two couloirs that drop into the present gully from your left. You'll be hiking on more of the same rubble, and the going is steep and slow, but perhaps a little more stable than earlier. Once you reach the head of this couloir, turn right for the true summit.
For descent, we recommend returning as you came. We investigated the west ridge that leads over to Mears and found a substantial, near vertical drop that appeared technical to us, however, a register on Mears indicated one person claiming to have negotiated the S.6 - Mears traverse.