US Basin to Nancy's Grassy Peak

Above tree line, this is a cross country hike using animal trails. Excels in scenic value and variety of interesting terrain with numerous small basins and hills. You can see your destination from the trailhead so you don’t need to worry about where you are heading. Much of the route is on an easy contour with the need to cross a few deep gullies. There are stunning views of the San Juan Range on the west side of Hwy 550. Our destination peak has no name on any map. There is a cairn at the summit and notepaper in a bottle where you can sign in. The name Nancy’s Grassy Peak was given by local hiking enthusiast and author Kelvin Kent. Recommended Vehicle: SUV. This is a very easy 4x4 road with only a few rough spots, some sharp steep switchbacks and a short section exposed to high cliffs. Most of the road is wide; there are plenty of passing areas. Directions to TH: From SVC, drive 5.5 miles north on Hwy 550 to mile post 76. Just 50 feet before is an unmarked dirt road to the right (E). As soon as you turn up this road, there is a CR 14 sign. Drive to mile 8.5 where you enter a wide, grassy area with a metal and wire fence protecting a reclamation area. Park across from the fence on the grass. There is no TH sign. Trail Description: It is possible to hike via many different animal trails; we prefer to go uphill from the parking area towards the metal stake on the horizon and contour around the big drainage on a high route rather than dropping into the drainage and climbing back up. See our photos. We stay just above the spruce clumps and below the rock talus slopes of Ohio Peak. After crossing a very deep gully, various good animal trails lead right to the summit of our peak. If you don’t want to climb the steep trail up to the peak, turn around at the ponds. It has already been a superlative hike.