Then it was a steep climb through Aspen, through Bristlecone, and then through scrubs trees eventually to a small saddle. Unfortunately after the saddle you drop back into a valley and give up 600 feet of elevation before climbing again. After regaining the elevation you finally get to the high plateau. You give up another 600 feet of elevation before the steep 28 switchbacks to the summit

The benefit of the jeep trail is not giving up elevation, but the detriment is walking in all sage and open terrain (I got pretty sunburned in the face). However, there are some great views of Aspen valleys below on this route.