Class 2
From Scott Gomer Creek
Trailhead: 16.0 miles, 4,650 feetThis route is noteworthy because it is seldom climbed. Scott Gomer Creek offers an alternative approach to Evans' crowded northern slopes. The route is long, but easy for the most part. Start at the Scott Gomer Creek Trailhead and follow the Abyss Lake Trail northeast for 3.8 miles to a trail junction at 10,600 feet. Stay on the Abyss Lake Trail as it climbs east then north past tree line into the basin between Evans and Bierstadt.
Look for a keyhole-shaped pinnacle guarding the southern entrance to a steep scree gully on the east side of the valley. Leave the trail at 12,200 feet, climb east and ascend the scree gully north of the pinnacle. This gully reaches the low point of the broad saddle between Evans and Epaulet Mountain (13,523 feet). From this saddle, hike northwest for 1.0 mile to reach Evans' summit. Use or avoid the road as you desire.
Extra Credit: From the Evans-Epaulet Saddle, hike south for 0.5 mile to Epaulet Mountain (13,523 feet). For even more credit, continue southeast for an additional 0.7 mile to Point 13,530. This unnamed summit is higher than Epaulet, and purists debate whether it is really Epaulet's summit. My opinion is that these are two separate summits, one named but unranked, and one ranked but unnamed. If you climb both summits, you have certainly climbed Epaulet and can add your voice to the debate. Because Point 13,530 is between Epaulet and 13,575-foot Rosalie, which is higher still, the silly name"Epaulie" has been suggested for Point 13,530.
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