Montezuma Basin
Since we were on Pearl Pass we decided to stop and take the short spur off of Pearl Pass and get an extra trail under our belts. We almost missed the trailhead as it exited the Pearl Pass trail at a switchback in what looked like a small parking area. Hikers on the Castle Peak Trail were parked here below treeline in order to get credit for climbing the fourteener.
After a quick check, we found the right route and headed up the trail. It was an easy trail with many switch backs and an easy water crossing. We started up into the basin with sunny skies, only to have it turn into a slight rain while we were on the trail. It was a chilly day, so everyone kept their vehicles' tops up and windows in.
We passed several hikers on their way back down the trail after completing their hike. We passed several areas of mine tailings but nothing that inspired us to stop and look around until we reached the top.
We ate lunch at the top in the parking area for Castle Peak Hiking Trail. We didn't linger long as it was chilly and we still didn't know if we were going to be able to make it to the summit of Pearl Pass. The latest reports indicated that trail was still snow-blocked. After lunch we headed back out the way we came in to tackle the rest of Pearl Pass.
