Endlich Mesa Peaks

Endlich Mesa is an amazing and unique zone. It is filled with lakes, solid granite and grassy slopes. The views of Chicago Basin and the Weminuche are amazing. The approach is gentle (although it might not feel like it on the way out). You climb more vertical on return than on approach. The City Reservoir camp spots are close to multiple water sources and I didn't see any marmots. The cost of admission to Endlich is the tedious bumpy road to the trailhead. There isn't anything technical on this 10 mile section (an Outback could make it), however it took me over an hour in my lifted Tacoma.

I have been to Endlich twice now, and if I had to do it again I would combine the Amherst route with the Emerson route and the Valois route with the Aztec route. Circumstances wouldn't allow this on my first trip. With that said visiting this zone twice was awesome and I would go back again. The road is the only drawback.