You'll drive up a narrow and somewhat steep dirt road and as it seems like the road is about to end, you top out at the parking area near the trailhead. The aspens thin near the edge of the valley and the view you now see is about as incredible as any in the western United States.

You will have a choice to make. Take the direct trail to the bottom of the valley to Capitol Creek. Or walk through the parking area to a small wilderness sign-in sheet and contour down the ditch trail to the same ultimate destination - Capitol Lake and for most of those visiting here, the route up to/across the knife edge and on to the summit.