Peak Climbed: Pinnacle Benchmark

Peak Height: 7,010'

Route: Std Route

Difficulty: Class 4

Location: San Rafael Swell, Utah

Trailhead: dirt road 1 mile SE

Mileage & Gain: 2.7 mi & 1,000 ft RT

Date Climbed: November 22, 2019

These peaks lie in a the fairly desolate southern end of the Sangre de Cristo spine. Though quite a long haul in winter, you might get lucky and find the road tracked by snowmobiles. I followed an old track that unfortunately petered out well below treeline.

The north ridge of Trinchera was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. There is a short section of 3rd class rock that was fun with snow. From the top of Trinchera, the remainder of the ridge over to "Leaning South Peak" is a walk.

I descended east from the saddle between Trinchera and "Leaning North Peak" on a mostly widblown scree slope, which was steep in places but fairly efficient. Then I traversed back north to connect back with the Trinchera Peak Road.