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 · North Slopes
Overview
Stewart Peak is the second highest 13er in Colorado, a big rounded summit in the La Garita Wilderness a few miles north of San Luis Peak. From the Cebolla trailhead on the north side, the route is a short trail walk to treeline, then a long off-trail stroll over open tundra and small rock. There is no scrambling and no exposure. The round trip is about 7.6 miles with about 2,800 feet of gain.
The walking is easy, but the setting is remote. The trailhead sits at the end of a very long dirt road drive, and past the first mile or so there is no trail at all. You need to read the land, carry a map or GPS, and be able to find your way back across wide, look-alike slopes if clouds come in. There is almost no shelter for the last two miles, so a storm catches you in the open.
This is a good first off-trail peak for fit hikers who can navigate. Most parties take 5 to 7 hours. Plan the drive as part of the day, or camp near the trailhead the night before.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m. You are above treeline from about mile 1 to the summit and back, on wide open ground with nowhere to hide from lightning.
Turnaround
If you are not on the ridge south of Baldy Chato (about 13,300 feet) by 10:30 a.m., or clouds are building over San Luis Peak, turn back.
Crux
Route-finding, not climbing. After the trail fades in the willows near 12,450 feet you cross open tundra with no path, and the ground looks much the same in every direction.
Route-finding
The first 1.2 miles are on a clear trail. Posts lead through the willows. After that you are on your own. In fog it is easy to drift off the ridge on the way back, so mark the spot where you left the trail on your GPS.
Water
A small stream crosses the trail about 0.2 miles from the trailhead, and there are wet spots in the willow meadow. There is no water on the ridge. Carry what you need and filter anything you collect.
The Cebolla trailhead is at about 11,500 feet, deep in the backcountry between Lake City and Gunnison. From Lake City, drive south on Highway 149 about 10 miles toward Slumgullion Pass and turn north onto Forest Road 788. Follow it about 15 miles to a three-way junction and stay on 788 south. Cross Los Pinos Pass around mile 21, then turn south onto Forest Road 790 at about mile 22. Cross Los Pinos Creek and reach the trailhead at about mile 28.5.
From the north, take Highway 114 south from US 50 east of Gunnison about 20 miles, turn right onto NN14, then right onto Forest Road 788 after about 3.5 miles. Continue straight onto Forest Road 790 (Big Meadows Road) past Blue Park and Willow Park to the trailhead, about 23 miles from Highway 114. These are graded dirt roads, but rain can rut them. A car with good clearance is best. There are no services out here, so arrive with a full tank.
TundraOff-trail, no set pathRidgeExposed 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
Cebolla trailhead 11,500' · 0 mi
The trail leaves the road and heads south into the trees. You enter the La Garita Wilderness a short way in. The path is well worn and climbs at a steady, gentle grade.
2
Small stream crossing 11,600' · 0.2 mi
A small stream crosses the trail. It is an easy step across on most days. This is the most reliable water on the route, so top off here if you need to.
3
Thinning forest 11,850' · 0.5 mi
The trees get smaller and farther apart. You start to see open meadows ahead through the gaps. Stay on the main path heading south.
4
Big meadow at treeline 11,950' · 0.7 mi
You break out of the trees into a huge open field. The rounded bulk of Baldy Chato rises ahead and to the left. Look back and note what the forest edge looks like here, because you will aim for it on the way down.
Watch for: Note this spot; it is your target on the way back.
5
Willow meadow 12,200' · 1.2 mi
The trail winds through a large patch of willows. Tall wooden posts stick up above the brush and mark the way where the path is hidden. Follow post to post. The ground can be wet and muddy.
Watch for: Easy to lose the path in the willows; look for the next post before moving on.
6
Leave the trail 12,450' · 1.9 mi
Around 12,450 feet, rock piles mark the place to leave the trail. Turn left and head up the open slopes of Baldy Chato. Save this point on your GPS. From here on there is no trail.
Watch for: Mark this spot. Finding it again on descent keeps you out of the willows.
7
Baldy Chato slopes 12,900' · 2.4 mi
Climb the broad grass and tundra slope toward the middle of Baldy Chato's upper ridge. The grade is steady but never steep. Small rocks start to show through the grass as you go higher.
8
Upper ridge of Baldy Chato 13,300' · 3 mi
You reach the upper ridge near 13,300 feet. The ground gets rockier. Traverse around the south side of Baldy Chato rather than going over the top. Stewart's big summit hump is now in view to the south.
Watch for: Fully exposed to weather from here to the summit.
9
Ridge south 13,400' · 3.2 mi
Follow the ridge south. Staying near the crest gives better footing and the best views. The ground is tundra mixed with small flat rocks. Keep Stewart's summit in front of you.
10
Final saddle 13,500' · 3.4 mi
Drop and climb gently to a final saddle at about 13,500 feet at the foot of Stewart's summit slopes. This is the last good place to check the sky and decide.
Watch for: Decision point: turn back here if storms are building.
11
Summit slopes 13,750' · 3.6 mi
Climb the last slope on tundra and rock set into the ground. Pick any line you like; it is wide open and not steep. The top is broad, so keep going until there is no higher ground.
12
Stewart Peak summit 13,988' · 3.8 mi
A wide, rounded summit with a 1958 survey marker. San Luis Peak is close to the south, and on clear days you can see Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn far to the west. Enjoy it, then look north to pick out Baldy Chato for the return.
Landmarks to know
Small stream 0.2 miles from the trailhead.
A huge open field where you leave the trees, near 11,950 feet.
Tall wooden posts standing above the willows.
Rock piles near 12,450 feet where you leave the trail.
The rounded dome of Baldy Chato to the left of the trail.
A saddle near 13,500 feet at the base of Stewart's final slope.
San Luis Peak close by to the south from the summit.
Getting down
Return the way you came. Walk north down to the 13,500-foot saddle, then follow the ridge north and traverse back around Baldy Chato. Aim down the slope for the rock piles at about 12,450 feet where you left the trail. Having this spot saved on a GPS helps a lot.
The main mistake on descent is dropping off the wrong side of the wide slopes, or coming down too far east or west and landing in thick willows with no trail. If you miss the trail, do not push blindly through the brush. Stop, check your map, and work back to the line of posts. Once on the trail, follow the posts through the willows to the big field and into the forest.
If things go wrong
The quickest way to safer ground from anywhere on the ridge is back north and down the slopes of Baldy Chato to the willows and trees near the trail. Do not head down unknown drainages to the east or west; they lead away from the trailhead into rough country. If lightning starts, get off the ridge crest at once, spread out, and keep moving down. This area is very remote and cell coverage is poor or absent, so a satellite messenger is a good idea. If someone is hurt, keep them warm and call 911 if you can get a signal; expect a long wait for help.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
The last 1.9 miles leave the trail at the rock piles and go off-trail over Baldy Chato's slopes and ridge, 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
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
Other routes
Every way up Stewart Peak we list, with its class.
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.