Trail 512 from Road 302 to Helmer Mountain

The climb from the trailhead along Road 302 to Roundtop Mountain is fairly strenuous. Once you reach the highpoint of the climb you can opt to take the trail to the old fire lookout atop Roundtop Mountain or you can descend along Trail 512 towards Mankato Mountain. After about a half mile, Trail 512 levels out as it winds through the forest along the ridge. Suddenly the trail pops out of the forest and traverses an open area before beginning its climb towards Mankato Mountain. As you apporach Mankato, the trail begins a slow descent on its way to Helmer Mountain. There is a primitive camp site along the trail just before it begins to climb towards Helmer Mountain on its way to its junction with Trail 526 (Thunder Creek).

Parking along Road 302 near Pass Creek Pass and The Shedroof Divide Trailhead

The Shedroof Divide Trailhead marker on Road 302 near Pass Creek Pass

Along the left side of the photograph you can see The Shedroof Divide Trail taking off uphill from Road 302 towards the trail registration post. The road and the trail are in excellent condition.

NOTE: The trail travels along the ridges of the mountains in the divide, never actually going over the top of any of them. My favorite part of this portion of Trail 512 was the approach to Roundtop Mountain from either the north or the south (hence the larger size photographs).

View Approaching Roundtop from the South

View Approaching Roundtop from the North

On the way to Mankato Mtn

Along the side of Mankato Mtn

View Passing by Mankato Mtn

Looking Back at Roundtop

Camp Site near Helmer Mtn

On the way to Helmer Mtn