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 · Via Mount Shavano
Overview
Tabeguache Peak sits just northwest of Mount Shavano, and the standard way up is to climb Shavano first, drop to the saddle between them, and climb Tabeguache's east ridge. The whole route is Class 2: a good trail through forest, a long climb up open slopes to Shavano, then rocky ridge walking to Tabeguache. You get two 14ers in one day.
The round trip is about 12 miles with 5,600 feet of gain, and you have to climb back over Shavano on the way out. That means about 500 feet of regain from the saddle, plus a second climb up Shavano's rocky summit ridge when you are already tired. Most hikers take 9 to 12 hours.
The danger here is mostly time and weather. From Shavano's summit you are committed to a long stretch of exposed ridge, and the only safe way back is over Shavano. This climb suits fit hikers who have done a few Class 2 peaks and can move steadily for a long day.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4:30 a.m. You are above treeline for 5 or more hours, and you must reach Tabeguache and get back over Shavano before storms, which often build by early afternoon.
Turnaround
If you are not on Shavano's summit by 10 a.m., skip Tabeguache. If you are not on Tabeguache by 11 a.m., turn back. Remember you still have to climb back over Shavano.
Crux
No single hard move. The crux is the return: climbing 500 feet back up to Shavano's summit ridge from the saddle late in the day.
Route-finding
The Shavano trail is clear to the saddle south of Shavano's summit and then on talus to the top. Between the peaks, trail segments come and go on the ridge. Mistakes happen when tired hikers try to skip the climb back over Shavano and drop off the saddle or Tabeguache's slopes into the drainages below.
Water
A small creek runs near the trail low in the forest; flow varies. There is no water above treeline. Carry 3 liters or more and filter anything you pick up.
Near Poncha Springs, find where U.S. 50 meets U.S. 285, then go about one mile north on 285. Turn west onto County Road 140; the Salida airport sits on the opposite side of the highway. After 1.7 miles, go right on County Road 250. Pavement stops at 2.6 miles.
Once the road enters BLM land it becomes rough and rocky. At 5.9 miles, stay left on Forest Road 252. The signed Blank Cabin trailhead is at just over 9 miles, with overflow parking about 0.1 mile past it. Most passenger cars with decent clearance can make it when the road is dry; low cars should go slowly.
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
Blank Cabin trailhead 9,750' · 0 mi
Start on the trail at the signed trailhead in mixed aspen and pine forest. The trail is well built and easy to follow.
2
Colorado Trail crossing 9,900' · 0.2 mi
Very soon you meet the Colorado Trail. Follow the signs for the Mount Shavano trail, which heads west, uphill.
Watch for: Do not follow the Colorado Trail north or south by mistake.
3
Forest switchbacks 10,500' · 1 mi
The trail climbs steadily through forest with switchbacks. Footing is dirt and roots with some rocks.
4
Upper forest 11,200' · 1.9 mi
The grade stays steady as the trees get shorter and thinner. You start to get views east over the Arkansas Valley.
5
Treeline 11,800' · 2.6 mi
Leave the trees. Shavano's broad east side is above you. In spring and early summer, a snow shape called the Angel of Shavano shows on the east face.
6
Open slopes 12,500' · 3.3 mi
The trail crosses open, grassy and rocky slopes and climbs toward a saddle on the ridge south of Shavano's summit. You can see the trail well ahead.
7
Saddle south of Shavano 13,400' · 4.1 mi
Reach the saddle. Turn right (north) and start up Shavano's summit slopes. The trail turns into rockier footing.
8
Mount Shavano 14,229' · 5 mi
Climb talus and trail segments to Shavano's summit. Tabeguache is clearly visible to the northwest, about a mile away. Check the weather now; going on means climbing back over this summit later.
Watch for: Decision point. Only continue if the sky is clear and you have time.
9
Shavano's northwest ridge 13,950' · 5.3 mi
Descend Shavano's long, rocky summit ridge to the northwest. The footing is Class 2 talus with some trail segments.
10
Shavano–Tabeguache saddle 13,700' · 5.6 mi
Reach the broad saddle between the peaks, about 600 feet below Shavano. Cross it and head for Tabeguache's east ridge.
11
Tabeguache east ridge 13,950' · 5.8 mi
Climb the ridge on fairly stable talus. Follow trail bits where you find them; if you lose the trail, just go straight up the ridge.
12
Summit 14,158' · 6 mi
About 500 feet above the saddle, reach Tabeguache's summit. Turn around and look at Shavano, because that is your way home.
Landmarks to know
The Colorado Trail crossing just past the trailhead
Treeline with Shavano's broad east face above
The Angel of Shavano snowfield on the east face (early season)
The saddle south of Shavano's summit, where you turn north
Shavano's summit with Tabeguache visible to the northwest
The broad saddle between the two peaks at 13,700 feet
Getting down
Return the way you came: down to the saddle, back up Shavano's rocky ridge to its summit, then down Shavano's trail to the car. It is tempting to skip the regain by dropping off the saddle or Tabeguache's slopes to the north or east. Do not. That terrain is steep, loose and leads into the McCoy Creek drainage, far from your car.
Coming off Shavano, go south to the saddle before turning down onto the open slopes; do not drop straight east off the summit. Below treeline, stay on the Shavano trail back to the Colorado Trail crossing and the trailhead.
If things go wrong
Before Shavano's summit, the bail is simple: turn around and follow the trail down. Between the peaks, the safe way out is always back over Shavano, so if weather looks bad from Shavano's summit, do not continue. If a storm catches you on the ridge, move quickly back toward Shavano and down to the saddle south of its summit, then down the open slopes toward treeline. If someone is hurt, keep them warm, note your location, and call 911 if you have signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the Via Mount Shavano. 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. This video covers Shavano and Tabeguache together.
Jump to
Other routes
All 2 routes up Tabeguache Peak, with the class and round-trip distance for each.
TypeRouteClassTrailheadRound trip
Standard
Via Mount ShavanoAlso summits Mount Shavano
Class 2
Blank Cabin (Shavano / Tabeguache)12 mi · 5,600'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.
