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.
Combo route · Clinton, McNamee and Traver
Overview
This link-up climbs Clinton Peak and then follows the ridge southwest over McNamee Peak to Traver Peak. You reach Clinton by its south slope route from Montgomery Reservoir, walk the connecting ridges, and then drop back into the basin below. It is about 10 miles round trip with about 3,300 feet of gain.
The whole route is Class 2. The ridges are gentle, with some rocky spots to work around and a short stretch of light scrambling below Traver's summit. It is a good choice for hikers who want three thirteeners in one day without hard climbing.
Plan on 7 to 9 hours. Once you reach Clinton, the rest of the route is in plain view.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m. You spend several hours on open ridges.
Turnaround
If you are not on Clinton's summit by about 10:30 a.m., or storms are building, skip the other peaks and go back the way you came.
Crux
The steep, rocky final climb to Traver, near the remains of an old tower. Look for the easiest way through the large rocks.
Route-finding
Easy in clear weather. The ridges are obvious from Clinton. Going down, stay on Traver's east ridge to about 13,000 feet, then turn north into the basin.
Water
The stream in the Clinton-Traver basin and the area around Wheeler Lake. Nothing on the ridges. Carry 2 to 3 liters and treat any water you collect.
Just under a mile south of Hoosier Pass, turn west off Colorado 9 onto County Road 4. Reset your odometer at the turn. Go straight at 0.3 and 0.6 miles. At 0.8 miles, take the higher road on the right. At 1.4 miles you reach parking at Montgomery Reservoir.
To go farther, cross a small bridge and follow the road around the reservoir. It gets a bit rough near 1.6 miles. Climb the hill and look for a turn-off on the left at about 1.7 miles. Turn there. The trailhead is the parking by a small water building and a concrete wall.
TundraRidgeScramblingExposed 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
Trailhead above Montgomery Reservoir 11,000' · 0 mi
Start up Clinton Peak's south slope route. The route heads up toward Wheeler Lake and the basin beyond.
2
Wheeler Lake 12,100' · 2.5 mi
Pass the lake and continue into the basin. On the way back you will return this same way.
Watch for: Good place to refill water.
3
Clinton Peak summit 13,866' · 4 mi
Follow the south slope route to the top. From here you can see the whole ridge to McNamee and Traver.
Watch for: Check your time and the weather before going on.
4
Low point on the Clinton-McNamee ridge 13,690' · 4.3 mi
Head down off Clinton and start along the Class 2 ridge to the southwest. There are short trail segments. The low point is just under 13,700 feet.
Watch for: Snow on this ridge makes it harder.
5
McNamee Peak summit 13,780' · 4.5 mi
A few rocks may need stepping around. Otherwise the ridge stays simple. Walk up the last slope to the top. The summit is covered in old cables and mining debris.
Watch for: Watch your step around the metal debris.
6
McNamee-Traver saddle 13,630' · 4.7 mi
Lose about 150 feet to an easy saddle. This is the best place to bail. You can turn left and walk down into the basin.
7
Base of Traver's final climb 13,700' · 4.9 mi
Follow a path toward Traver and start up its northwest ridge. It begins easy, then gets steeper near the remains of an old tower.
8
Traver Peak summit 13,852' · 5.2 mi
Choose whatever line looks easiest up through the big rocks. After a short bit of light scrambling, you reach the top.
Getting down
Descend Traver's east ridge to about 13,000 feet. There it bends north into the Clinton-Traver basin. Once in the basin, cross to the stream that runs through its middle. From there, follow your ascent route back down past Wheeler Lake to the trailhead.
If things go wrong
The saddle between McNamee and Traver is the easiest place to bail. Turn left and hike down into the basin, then follow the stream back to your ascent route. Before McNamee, go back over Clinton the way you came. If a storm moves in, get off the ridge and into the basin right away. Call 911 if you have signal in an emergency.
Other routes
Every way up Clinton Peak we list, with its class.
Clinton, McNamee and Traverthis routeClass 2 10 mi
Conditions change the route
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, 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.