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 · Northeast Ridge
Overview
Redcloud Peak gets its name from the rusty red rock that covers its upper slopes. It sits south of Lake City in the San Juans, next to Sunshine Peak. The Northeast Ridge route follows Silver Creek up a long valley into an open basin, climbs to a 13,000-foot saddle, then follows the ridge southwest to the summit. It is Class 2, about 9 miles round trip with 3,700 feet of gain.
The trail is good the whole way. The lower part is gentle walking along the creek, and the ridge is steady rather than steep. The upper ridge is loose red scree and small rock, which is slippery going down. The route is fully exposed from about 11,100 feet to the top.
Most people take 6 to 8 hours for Redcloud alone. Many add Sunshine Peak, which is about a mile and a quarter south along the ridge, and return over Redcloud. It suits hikers new to San Juan peaks who are comfortable on loose footing. The main danger is afternoon lightning on the ridge, which is common here in July and August.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 or 5:30 a.m. You are above treeline for about 3.5 miles each way, and San Juan storms often form by late morning.
Turnaround
If you have not reached the 13,000-foot saddle by 10:30 a.m., or clouds are building, turn around. The ridge above is open with no cover.
Crux
The loose red scree and rock on the upper northeast ridge, especially on the descent. There are no hard moves, but the footing is slippery.
Route-finding
Easy. The trail is clear from trailhead to summit. In fog, be careful on the broad ridge near the false summit, and do not follow other trails or shortcuts off the ridge on the way down.
Water
Silver Creek runs beside the trail for the first 2.5 miles or so. Filter or treat all water. Above the upper basin there is no reliable water.
Head south out of Lake City on Colorado 149 for roughly 2 miles, then go right on County Road 30, the road to Cinnamon Pass. The trailhead is almost 16 miles from where County Road 30 begins. Keep right at a fork close to mile 11.8.
The road is good dirt at first, but after about 12.5 miles it gets rougher. Between miles 13 and 14.5 it becomes a narrow shelf road on the side of Sunshine Peak. High clearance is best for the last few miles. The Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch trailhead is on the road before mile 16. Redcloud's trail starts on the north side of the road; Handies Peak's Grizzly Gulch trail starts across the road.
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
Silver Creek trailhead 10,400' · 0 mi
Start on the Silver Creek trail and head northeast. The trail climbs a short hill and enters the forest.
2
Leave the forest 11,100' · 0.8 mi
Near 11,100 feet you leave the trees. The trail runs up the valley with Silver Creek on your right.
3
Close to the creek 11,300' · 1.5 mi
At about 1.5 miles the trail comes close to the creek. Keep going northeast up the valley.
4
Rockslide deposits 11,600' · 2.1 mi
Pass several old rockslides on the far (left) side of the creek. The valley is narrow and green, with red and gray slopes on both sides.
5
Valley opens 12,000' · 2.6 mi
Near 12,000 feet the terrain opens up to the east. Stay on the trail as it curves right to the southeast.
Redcloud above the Silver Creek valley · Photo: Bureau of Land Management
6
Basin northeast of Redcloud 12,400' · 3 mi
You enter a wide basin northeast of Redcloud. By now you have hiked about 3 miles and climbed about 2,000 feet. The saddle between Redcloud and Point 13,561 is above you to the south.
Watch for: This basin often holds snow in early summer.
7
Slope to the saddle 12,700' · 3.3 mi
Head south and zigzag up an easy slope toward the saddle.
8
13,000-foot saddle 13,000' · 3.6 mi
Reach the saddle. Turn right (west) and you can see the rest of the route up Redcloud's northeast ridge.
Watch for: Check the weather. The ridge above has no cover.
The red ridge between the saddle and the summit · Photo: Bureau of Land Management
9
Trail curves right 13,300' · 3.85 mi
Follow the trail as it curves to the right of the ridge, climbing on red rock and scree.
10
Back on the crest 13,600' · 4.1 mi
The trail regains the ridge crest at a higher point. The ridge is broad and red.
Watch for: Loose scree. Short steps help.
11
False summit 13,900' · 4.35 mi
As you near the ridge top, go over a false summit and reach 13,900 feet, just below the final pitch.
12
Summit 14,037' · 4.5 mi
Follow the last section of trail up to the summit. Sunshine Peak is the rounded summit to the south, and Handies Peak rises to the west.
Here Sunshine Peak Climber's Route goes off to the right. Keep going straight on the trail.
Coming down: Keep going straight on the trail you came up. Don’t take Sunshine Peak Climber's Route.
Landmarks to know
Silver Creek on your right as you leave the forest
Old rockslides on the far side of the creek
The valley opening to the east near 12,000 feet
A wide basin with Redcloud's red slopes above
The 13,000-foot saddle between Redcloud and Point 13,561
A broad red ridge and a false summit near 13,900 feet
Getting down
Return the same way. Take your time on the loose red scree on the upper ridge; it rolls under your feet. At the 13,000-foot saddle, turn left (north) and zigzag down into the basin, then follow the trail back down Silver Creek.
If you add Sunshine Peak, return to Redcloud and descend the standard route. Do not try shortcuts down the steep scree gullies off the ridge between the two peaks or off Sunshine's northwest side. They look like a quick way down but are loose and dangerous, and they have caused serious accidents.
If things go wrong
The saddle at 13,000 feet is the best decision point. If weather turns on the ridge, go back to the saddle and down into the basin. Do not drop off the ridge on steep scree. The trees below 11,100 feet are the first real shelter. The trailhead is about 4.5 miles from the summit and help is slow to arrive in this remote area. If someone is hurt, keep them warm and still, send someone for help if needed, and call 911 if you can get a signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the Northeast Ridge. 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 Ethan Powell. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play. This video covers Redcloud and Sunshine together.
Jump to
Other routes
All 2 routes up Redcloud Peak, with the class and round-trip distance for each.
TypeRouteClassTrailheadRound trip
Standard
Northeast Ridge
Class 2
Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch9 mi · 3,700'Full route →
Link-up
Via Redcloud PeakAlso summits Sunshine Peak
Class 2
Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch12.25 mi · 4,800'Full route →
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.
