Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Standard route · Northwest Slopes
Overview
Huron Peak is one of the most scenic easy fourteeners in the Sawatch range. The route climbs through forest to tree line, crosses a high basin, and then switchbacks up the north slopes to a ridge and a small, rocky summit. From the top you look straight across at the Three Apostles, a group of sharp 13ers that includes Ice Mountain.
From the upper trailhead the climb is short, about 3.5 miles each way with 3,500 feet of gain. It suits fit hikers with some fourteener experience. The trail is good almost all the way, but the upper face is steep and eroded, and the last few hundred feet are rougher than the rest. Plan on 5 to 7 hours round trip from the upper lot.
The main dangers are weather, since you are above tree line for a couple of hours, and slips on the steep, gravelly upper face on the way down.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 to 6 a.m. The trail leaves the trees near 11,900 feet and the upper mountain gets hit by fast-moving storms most summer afternoons.
Turnaround
If you are not on the north ridge at 13,500 feet by 10:30 a.m., or clouds are building, turn around. The steep face above is the worst place to get caught.
Crux
The steep, eroded section on the upper northwest face between about 13,700 and 13,900 feet, where the trail splits into several paths.
Route-finding
Easy on the lower trail. At the base of the upper slopes near 12,700 feet, the view is foreshortened and the trail up can be hard to spot. On the upper face, several eroded paths go up; stay on the main one and regain the ridge before the summit.
Water
A small stream crosses the trail about half a mile from the trailhead. Filter or treat it. There is no reliable water above tree line, so carry what you need.
Take US 24 to Chaffee County Road 390. From Leadville, drive about 20 miles south and turn right. From Buena Vista, drive about 14.5 miles north and turn left. Follow the dirt 390 road about 12 miles to the old townsite of Winfield. Turn left. The lower (2WD) trailhead is just 0.1 mile ahead, with a large parking and camping area and many pull-offs up the road.
About 0.4 mile past Winfield the road becomes rough, narrow and rocky, and needs a vehicle with good clearance. At 0.7 mile, stay right at a junction. The terrain opens near 1.7 miles, with parking along the road. The road ends at the upper trailhead at about 2.1 miles, near 10,575 feet. If you start from the lower lot, the round trip is about 11 miles with 3,800 feet of gain.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeTalus and screeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Upper South Winfield trailhead 10,575' · 0 mi
Follow the Huron Peak trail into the pine forest. The trail is clear and climbs steadily.
2
Stream crossing 10,750' · 0.5 mi
Cross a small stream about half a mile in.
Watch for: Only water on the route.
3
Forest switchbacks 11,200' · 1 mi
The trail climbs about 800 feet in a series of switchbacks through the trees.
4
Turning south 11,500' · 1.3 mi
Near 11,500 feet the trail swings south and keeps climbing through thinning forest.
5
First view of the Apostles 11,700' · 1.5 mi
The view opens to the west, and you can see the Three Apostles, a row of sharp peaks, with Ice Mountain in the middle.
6
Tree line 11,900' · 1.7 mi
The trail swings east and leaves the trees. Huron's summit comes into view to the south.
The trail above treeline · Photo: Adam Baker
7
High basin 12,100' · 1.9 mi
Enter a wide, grassy basin below Huron's north slopes. The trail heads east across it.
Watch for: No shelter from here up.
8
Base of the upper slopes 12,700' · 2.4 mi
After crossing the basin, the trail switchbacks to the foot of the upper slopes. The slope looks shorter than it is, and the trail above can be hard to see at first.
Scrambling near the top · Photo: Adam Baker
9
North ridge 13,500' · 2.95 mi
Zig-zag up the slope to the crest of the north ridge at 13,500 feet. Turn right onto the trail that climbs onto the upper northwest face.
10
Upper northwest face 13,800' · 3.2 mi
The ground gets steep and rough. Between 13,700 and 13,900 feet the trail is eroded and splits into several paths over loose gravel and rock.
Watch for: Crux. Loose footing. Watch for rocks from hikers above.
11
Back on the ridge 13,950' · 3.4 mi
Climb back up to the ridge crest and turn right toward the summit.
12
Summit 14,006' · 3.5 mi
A small, rocky top. The Three Apostles are close by to the southwest, and you can see many Sawatch peaks in every direction.
The Three Apostles from Huron · Photo: Jeremiah LaRocco
Along the route
Heading back down through the basin · Photo: Adam Baker
Here an unmarked path goes off to the left. Turn right to follow North Huron Trail.
Coming down: Turn left to stay on North Huron Trail. Don’t take the unmarked path.
Landmarks to know
Small stream crossing about half a mile up.
Forest switchbacks heading south near 11,500 feet.
First view of the Three Apostles near 11,700 feet.
Tree line near 11,900 feet with the summit in view to the south.
Wide, grassy high basin above 12,100 feet.
Crest of the north ridge at 13,500 feet: turn right.
Steep, eroded face, then back on the ridge to the summit.
Getting down
Go back the way you came. The steep, eroded face below the summit is where people slip; take small steps, use poles, and stay on the main trail rather than the loose side paths. Make sure you get back to the north ridge at 13,500 feet and turn left down the switchbacks; do not keep going down the face.
Once in the basin, the trail is easy to follow west and back into the trees. The forest switchbacks lead back to the stream and the trailhead. If you parked lower, walk the rough road back to Winfield.
If things go wrong
The only good way down is the trail you came up. If weather turns, leave the ridge and face right away and head down the switchbacks into the basin and then into the trees near 11,900 feet, which is the nearest shelter. Do not drop off the ridge into side gullies. If someone is hurt, get them off the steep face to flatter ground, keep them warm, and send someone down for help. This is a busy peak on summer weekends, so other hikers may be able to help. Call 911 if you have a signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the Northwest Slopes. The graph shows elevation along the way and how much you gain each mile. Open full screen.
For planning only. The line is traced from open map data, not walked in the field, and off-trail parts are drawn straight. Load it in your GPS app to see the route, but navigate with your eyes, a map and the route description.
See the trail on video
A climb of this route filmed by The Virtual sherpa. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play.
Jump to
Other routes
All 3 routes up Huron Peak, with the class and round-trip distance for each.
Expect talus, scree and stretches where the trail disappears. Ankles and weather cause most of the trouble here. Start early, keep an eye on the sky, and set a turnaround time before you leave the car.
