Lion's Lair Alternate

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Smooth, well-built trail. Hardly any roots or rocks to avoid.

This trail begins from the last dirt residential road on the east side of Sunshine Canyon before the first hairpin (that marks the start of the Lion's Lair Trail). The Lion's Lair Alternate trail is across the road and a little uphill from the end of Sunshine Canyon Trail.

The Lion's Lair Alternate trail starts up a small ridgeline sparsely treed with fir. It is undergoing a re-route and partial re-build (as of spring 2015) so be aware that the start of the trail may be moved around a bit to include more switchbacks and prevent erosion. Switchback and contour up the western flank of Mount Sanitas, climbing gently past dry rocky outcrops. There are views of the continental divide and down into Sunshine Canyon. The trail is well constructed and features rock steps and good grading. The Lion's Lair Alternate trail eventually joins the Lion's Lair Trail at an early switchback.

This makes a great loop: from the Centennial Trail, take the Sunshine Canyon Trail uphill to Lion's Lair Alternate trail. Then jump on Lion's Lair Trail to the top of Mount Sanitas, and then back down to the Centennial Trail using the Mount Sanitas Trail.