LoJ: #215 (Pre-LiDAR #Unranked) / 13,557' UN 13557 Formerly Unranked UN 13555

The parking spot for this route is at the two trailheads location, one to the west side of the road for California Peak called the "Zapata Trail," #853, and across the road to the east is the not well-marked trail called "The Raspberry Trail." This is 20.8 miles in from where you turn off of CO 69 west of Gardner onto CR 550, measuring from where 550 crosses the creek, immediately after turning off the highway. Coordinates are: N 37° 38' 15.24" W 105° 28' 17.64". There is a road marker sign for the Raspberry Trail but it's down a short embankment and weeds and grasses may conceal it. The parking spot here can accommodate about 2 vehicles. IF occupied, drive south on 580B 50 yards or so and look for a primitive road turning off to the left into an open meadow that's used for parking and primitive camping. To avoid needless wandering around, park and walk back to the trailhead.

The trail drops a few feet down the road embankment, and heads eastward to a kiosk, which may be partially obscured by a fallen tree. Circle around the tree by walking east, then turn north as you circle around the tree to regain the trail which heads generally NE toward Huerfano Creek. The trail crosses what is usually a dry wash and had a few cairns and leads down to the creek crossing where old cement abutments can be seen that once supported a bridge. Now, there are only some loosely placed, slim logs to attempt to cross with, or just wade. The trail is quite clear on the other side and almost immediately climbs steeply NE passing a wilderness sign, then turns south (switchbacking right), crossing a rock outcrop heading parallel the creek, then turning left to follow a shallow drainage. It then turns more SE into fallen trees. In July of 2022, on the first few switchbacks, there was a large amount of deadfall that obscured sections of the trail. Just keep in mind there are short switchbacks in this lower section and try to follow the trail as much as possible, or make a left turn, heading up the hillside and you should intercept it farther up. Once past the fallen debris, the trail emerges clear and it's easy to follow it all the way up to the forested ridge above Huerfano Creek at a little above 11,080 ft. Overall, there were at least 10 switchbacks. Once on the ridge, the trail will turn east and level off for a short while. At one point here, you do get a brief view of the 13,557 summit. Some elect to continue farther east before turning south, but we turned off the trail at these coordinates and began the open forest bushwhack here: N 37° 38 23.87" W 105° 27' 44.44". Work generally south and slightly SSE gaining elevation slowly at first and then more steeply before reaching the open tundra, wide ridge above. Here is one waypoint that may keep you on course: 37° 37' 54.79" W 105° 27' 37.44". This is where things steepen up at about 11,400 ft. Once you reach the open tundra at 11,800 ft., the summit is still a good distance away, but basically follow the snaking ridge all the way to the summit. The last few hundred yards becomes a little rockier with embedded rocks and tundra. We did find a summit register here. The view looking over to Blanca Peak is simply stupendous. What an amazing hunk of mountain. Also, the rock glacier across the valley coming off California Peak is quite impressive.

For the descent, simply head back down as you came, enjoying amazing views of the southern Wet Valley. Wildflowers on this July trip were evident but not overly abundant. Strong hikers can complete this in as little time as 4 hours.