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.
Centennial 13er · Northeast Ridge + North Apostle
Overview
Ice Mountain is the middle and highest of the Three Apostles, the steep, sharp trio of peaks that fills the view south of Winfield. The route follows a good trail up the South Fork of Clear Creek to a meadow below the peaks, then climbs a rough, mostly trail-less basin to the saddle between Ice Mountain and North Apostle. From the saddle, the northeast ridge leads to the summit. The round trip is about 9 miles with about 3,500 feet of gain.
The lower ridge is steep Class 2 on rubble and talus. The real test is near 13,800 feet, where the ridge crest turns into a narrow, cliffy edge. The usual way around it is a steep, loose gully on the west (right) side that you climb hand over hand back up to the crest. The moves are not hard, but the rock is loose and the drop below is long. A fall or a knocked rock here can be fatal.
This peak suits hikers who have done Class 3 before and are comfortable on steep, loose ground. Most parties take 7 to 10 hours. Many climbers add North Apostle from the saddle, which is an easier, rubbly Class 2 walk.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. The upper basin, the saddle and the whole ridge are above treeline, and the crux gully is no place to be in rain or hail.
Turnaround
Be at the Ice Mountain and North Apostle saddle by 10 a.m. If you are not, or clouds are building, turn around there or settle for North Apostle.
Crux
The steep, loose gully on the west side of the ridge around 13,800 feet. You climb it hand over hand with real exposure, then step back onto the crest.
Route-finding
The trail is clear to the meadow at about 11,360 feet. Above that, the way into the upper basin is vague and crosses benches between small cliffs; this is where most people lose time. On the ridge, look for cairns that stay on or just right of the crest.
Water
The South Fork of Clear Creek and the streams in the meadow give water low on the route. The upper basin has a small tarn near 12,100 feet and snowmelt early in the season. Filter all water.
From Highway 24, turn west on County Road 390 toward Clear Creek Reservoir. The turn is a little under 2 miles south of Granite, or just under 15 miles north of Buena Vista. Drive about 11.7 miles on graded dirt to the old town site of Winfield. The road narrows near Winfield and is often washboarded and potholed.
At Winfield, turn south, cross the creek and follow the road south and southwest. Passenger cars should park about 100 yards past the creek, where the road gets much rougher. Cars with high clearance can continue about 2.25 miles to the end of the road, where parking is limited. This trailhead is shared with Huron Peak, so it fills up early on summer weekends. There are dispersed campsites along the last two miles.
Trail in the treesTundraTalus and screeScramblingRidgeExposed 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
South Winfield trailhead 10,560' · 0 mi
Walk south on the old road past the gate. The Three Apostles fill the skyline straight ahead. Ice Mountain is the tallest one in the middle.
2
Huron trail split 10,800' · 1.25 mi
The main trail bends southeast here and is used by hikers coming down from Huron Peak. Keep heading south toward the Apostles.
Watch for: Do not follow the Huron traffic.
3
Hamilton and Lake Ann junction 10,900' · 1.6 mi
Near the old Hamilton site, the Lake Ann trail branches off. Go a little farther and look for the trail that breaks south, crossing a small side stream and then the main South Fork of Clear Creek.
Watch for: Creek crossings can be high and cold in early summer.
4
Three Apostles trail 11,100' · 2.1 mi
The trail climbs south through the forest along a ridge on the west side of the creek. The creek sits deep in its channel below you. The path is well used and easy to follow.
5
Meadow below the rock glacier 11,360' · 2.6 mi
You come out into a flat, flowery meadow. West Apostle is straight south, and a huge rock glacier spills down toward you from the gullies of Ice and West Apostle. Turn southeast here toward the basin between North Apostle and Ice.
Watch for: Last easy ground and good camping.
6
Foot of North Apostle 11,700' · 2.9 mi
A faint path wanders through the meadow, crosses the stream a couple of times, then heads up the east side of the basin through willows and boulders at the base of the rock glacier. Climb the steep grass slope on the west flank of North Apostle below its dramatic northwest ridge.
Watch for: Faint trail; take your time and watch for cairns.
7
Tundra bench 12,000' · 3.2 mi
After gaining about 600 feet, turn right and cut across a slope of small cliffs on a grassy bench to reach the middle of the upper basin. Pick the line with the most grass and the least rock.
Watch for: This is the easiest place to get off route.
8
Small tarn 12,100' · 3.4 mi
A small lake sits at the lower end of the hidden upper basin, which stretches away to the southeast. Pass it on the north side over rock slabs, then cross a boulder field back into the center of the basin.
9
Upper basin 12,800' · 3.7 mi
A grass slope leads up about 600 feet. Above 12,800 feet the grass ends and you hop across big boulders and loose rubble. Early in summer this section is often snow.
Watch for: Snow here may need an ice axe and spikes.
10
Ice and North Apostle saddle 13,200' · 3.9 mi
Reach the saddle between the two peaks. North Apostle's rubbly ridge rises to the left. Turn right (south) onto Ice Mountain's northeast ridge. Take a good look at the upper ridge from here.
Watch for: Decision point: weather and time check.
11
Lower northeast ridge 13,600' · 4.2 mi
Climb on or just right of the crest. A cairned path weaves up on fair footing. If you leave the crest, stay on the west (right) side.
Watch for: Loose rock; keep your group close together.
12
Crux gully 13,800' · 4.35 mi
Near 13,800 feet the crest turns narrow and cliffy. Cairns lead right into a steep gully on the west side. Climb it toward its head, where it is steepest and you will use your hands. A short push brings you back onto the ridge.
Watch for: Exposed Class 3 on loose rock. Test every hold and do not climb under another party.
13
Ice Mountain summit 13,960' · 4.5 mi
The last stretch is an easy Class 2 walk to the top. Waterloo Gulch and the Texas Creek country lie below to the south and east, and Huron Peak stands to the north.
Landmarks to know
The three sharp peaks of the Apostles on the southern skyline from the trailhead.
The Lake Ann trail junction near the old Hamilton site.
Flat meadow at about 11,360 feet at the foot of a large rock glacier.
The dramatic northwest ridge of North Apostle above the east side of the basin.
A small tarn near 12,100 feet at the entrance to the upper basin.
The saddle between Ice Mountain and North Apostle.
The steep gully on the west side of the ridge near 13,800 feet.
Getting down
Go down the northeast ridge with great care. To avoid downclimbing the steepest part of the gully, look for a rib of rock and ledges just beside it that runs parallel. Follow it down and step back into the gully close to where you first entered it, then rejoin the clearer path on the lower ridge.
Return all the way to the saddle before dropping into the basin. Short-cutting down a gully from the lower ridge looks tempting, but it is steep, very loose, and parties above will knock rocks onto parties below. From the saddle, retrace your steps through the boulders, past the tarn, along the grassy bench and back down to the meadow and the trail.
If things go wrong
The saddle is your main bail point. Below the crux, you can retreat down the ridge to the saddle and then into the basin. If the weather turns while you are above the gully, it is often safer to finish to the summit area and descend carefully than to rush a wet gully; do not climb loose rock in hail or rain if you can wait it out. The meadow at 11,360 feet and the forest below are the nearest sheltered ground. If someone is hurt, keep them still and warm, send someone down to find a signal if you have none, and call 911.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
About the last 2 miles go off-trail through the basin and up the couloir, with no set trail to follow. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
A climb of this route filmed by Ruggedland. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play.
Jump to
Other routes
Every way up Ice Mountain we list, with its class.
Northeast Ridge + North Apostlethis routeClass 3 9 mi
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Snow, ice, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.