This is a short unofficial route (steep, overgrown, and unsignposted) in a remote location that adds to its overall challenge. Only come here if your navigation is up to the task, and practice Leave No Trace to avoid damaging fragile terrain.

How to get here?

• If you already happen to be visiting Klapatche Park for other reasons, you're in luck. The unofficial trail starts from the Wonderland a short distance east of Aurora Lake, and it's only half a mile with 400' elevation gain to the top of Aurora Peak.
• If you're a badass endurance athlete, hike up the Westside Road, then up the St. Andrews Creek trail, turn right into Klapatche Park, then left and climb up Aurora Peak. This is the roundtrip distance and elevation gain shown above.
• If you're me, ride a bike up the Westside Road portion, which is 16.5 miles roundtrip with 2100' gain. This reduces the hike up the St. Andrews Creek trail and Aurora Peak to just 6 miles with 2300' gain.

There was clearly once an official trail here (evidence: wooden inserts attempting to control erosion) but it has clearly not been maintained for many years (evidence: much erosion, deep rutting, pine trees growing into the trail). This route dates from before the popularity of switchbacks, being brutally direct and steep. It is important to stay on the established path, challenging though that is at times, to avoid damaging plants in this fragile habitat.

Views from the top are great, but not notably different vs. what you can see from nearby sections of the Wonderland.