The standard ascent route for West Spanish Peak starts at Cordova Pass, a high pass () to the west of the peak. It follows a trail for about to treeline. From there, there's a rough path on talus (scree) up the southwest ridge of the peak for an additional . The trail is very braided and has a tendency to go to the right (which is into loose scree). If climbers stay to the left and close to the ridge, the climbing is much easier. At about 13,000' is a large shale buttress to the right that usually has a small pool of warm water at its foot. Once up on the main part of the top ridge, it's an easy hike to the actual summit. The top ridge tends to be wide and is about long before beginning a significant downward trend on the east side of the mountain. To the north and south are very steep descents. At the summit is a large rock cairn with the usual PVC tube and sign-in sheet inside. This mountain is very unsafe when there is snow on the ground. Best time to climb: early June through late October. Thunderstorm and lightning activity can be high in July, August and September.