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 · UN 13,838 + UN 13,820
Overview
UN 13,838 is a high, unnamed peak on the ridge north and east of Redcloud Peak, above Lake City. It is often skipped by people heading to Redcloud and Sunshine, so it is quieter. This route uses the popular Silver Creek trail to the saddle north of Redcloud, then leaves the crowds and follows the ridge northeast and east to the summit. It is often done together with its neighbor UN 13,820.
The climbing is Class 2 with no exposure. Most of the route is a good trail and high tundra, with some rubble, scree and talus near the top. The trail fades on the ridge, but the terrain is open and the route is easy to see in good weather.
The distance is what makes it hard. Combining both peaks is about 12 miles round trip with around 4,700 feet of gain, and you are above treeline for many hours. Plan on 8 to 10 hours for both. It suits fit hikers who want a long, easy-terrain day in the high San Juans.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. You are above treeline for 5 or more hours on a long ridge, and San Juan storms often start by late morning.
Turnaround
If you are not at the 13,020-foot saddle north of Redcloud by 9:30 a.m., or on the summit of UN 13,838 by 11 a.m., turn back. Save UN 13,820 for another day if the sky is building.
Crux
The long distance and time above treeline. The terrain itself is easy: some rubble and a talus traverse below Point 13,561.
Route-finding
Easy on the Silver Creek trail. On the ridge, the path fades below Point 13,561 where people spread out across the talus. Aim for the saddle just east of that point, where the path returns.
Water
Silver Creek runs beside the trail for the first few miles; filter it. There is no reliable water on the ridge, so fill up before you climb to the saddle.
From Lake City, drive south on Highway 149 a little over 2 miles and turn right toward Lake San Cristobal. Follow the road around the west side of the lake and on past the Williams Creek and Mill Creek campgrounds to the junction at the old Sherman townsite. The road to here is fine for passenger cars.
At Sherman, take the right fork toward Cinnamon Pass. The road climbs more steeply and is rougher; higher clearance is best, though careful drivers in cars sometimes make it. After a little over 4 miles you reach the Silver Creek and Grizzly Gulch trailheads, about 18.5 miles and close to an hour from Lake City. The Silver Creek trail starts from the small lot on the north side of the road. The lot fills on weekends. There is dispersed camping along the road, but watch for private land.
Trail in the treesTundraTalus and screeRidgeExposed 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 10,440' · 0 mi
Start on the Silver Creek trail from the north side of the road. This is the main trail to Redcloud and Sunshine, so expect company. The trail heads northeast up the valley.
2
Above Silver Creek 10,900' · 0.8 mi
The trail climbs steadily on the west and north side of the creek, well above the water. Forest gives way to willows and open slopes.
3
South Fork junction 11,300' · 1.7 mi
A trail for the South Fork of Silver Creek branches off to the right. Ignore it and keep going northeast on the main trail.
Watch for: Do not take the South Fork trail.
4
Open tundra 12,000' · 2.9 mi
The trail bends more to the east into open tundra. You can see the red slopes of Redcloud ahead and the ridge you will follow to the north.
5
Scree gully option 12,300' · 3.3 mi
A little before the trail starts its steep climb to the saddle, a scree gully rises directly east about 1,000 feet to the ridge just south of Point 13,561. It is a shortcut if you do not mind loose scree. Most people stay on the trail.
Watch for: The gully is loose and tiring.
6
Switchbacks 12,700' · 3.6 mi
The trail switchbacks up steeper, reddish slopes toward the saddle.
7
Redcloud saddle 13,020' · 3.9 mi
Reach the saddle at about 13,020 feet. Redcloud's route goes right (southwest). Turn left and follow the ridge northeast toward Point 13,561.
Watch for: Most people turn right here. You turn left.
8
Below Point 13,561 13,350' · 4.2 mi
The ridge is tundra, then rubble. About 200 feet below Point 13,561 the trail fades. Traverse across the south face on talus below the top of the point, heading for the saddle just east of it.
Watch for: Talus can shift. Several faint paths here.
9
Saddle east of 13,561 13,400' · 4.35 mi
As you near the saddle, clearer paths appear again. Continue east along the ridge.
10
Rocky outcrop 13,550' · 4.5 mi
Pass a rocky outcrop on the ridge by following a path on its south side, below the rocks.
11
Summit 13,838' · 4.7 mi
Hike southeast on low tundra, scree and small rubble to the top. UN 13,820 is the next summit along the ridge. Redcloud, Sunshine and Handies are close by.
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
The Silver Creek trailhead on the north side of the Cinnamon Pass road.
The South Fork of Silver Creek trail junction on the right, about 1.7 miles in.
Open tundra where the trail turns east, with red Redcloud ahead.
The 13,020-foot saddle north of Redcloud where you turn left.
Point 13,561, which you pass on talus on its south side.
A rocky outcrop on the ridge that you skirt on the south side.
Getting down
Retrace your steps west along the ridge. Pass the outcrop on its south side, then from the saddle east of Point 13,561 traverse back across the talus and pick up the path heading down to the 13,020-foot saddle. In fog it is easy to wander off the ridge on the talus traverse; keep the ridge crest just above you on your right.
At the saddle, turn right and follow the Redcloud trail back down Silver Creek. Do not take the Redcloud route by mistake; it heads southwest from the saddle. If you are also doing UN 13,820, continue east from UN 13,838 first and return this way.
If things go wrong
The quickest way off the ridge is back to the 13,020-foot saddle and down the Silver Creek trail. The scree gully south of Point 13,561 is a faster but looser way down to the trail if you know where it is. In a storm, do not stay on the ridge. If someone is hurt, keep them warm and still, and send for help. Other hikers are often on the Redcloud trail. Call 911 if you have a signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the UN 13,838 + UN 13,820. 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
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.
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.