Sunshine Peak

Dogs Leashed

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While this trail is high, it is well-maintained, covered with few rocks, and easy to stay on. Fast runners should be able to round-trip it in under an hour.

From the summit of Redcloud Peak, drop down the south side of Redcloud. Follow an obvious low class 2 trail, right along the ridge, toward the 13,500 ft saddle with Sunshine Peak. From here, the trail stays just to the right of the ridge. Continue back up toward Sunshine, cresting a flat area at 13,700 ft before the grade starts back up. There aren't any false summits on this one - just gun it back to 14K!

Once on top, turn around and do it all backwards. While some runners will see that they just made a giant "U" track and be tempted to descend right into the drainage, this is a poor decision. The west side of Sunshine is steep and composed of loose scree. It will be safer, faster, and more fun just to retrace your tracks.

Up this high, you are unlikely to see much other than rocks, marmots, and pika.