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.
Alternate route · West Slopes
Overview
This route climbs Mount Sherman from the west, out of Iowa Gulch near Leadville. A trail crosses the head of the gulch, climbs a gully to the saddle between Sherman and Sheridan, and then follows Sherman's southwest ridge to the top.
It is Class 1 with a trail the whole way, although the trail is faint or washed out in a few spots. It suits new hikers and anyone wanting a short 14er day. It is a quieter option than the standard route from the east side.
It is about 4.5 miles round trip with 2,150 feet of gain. Most people take 3 to 5 hours. The trailhead is high, so you start above treeline.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m. The whole route is above treeline.
Turnaround
Be at the Sherman-Sheridan saddle by 10:30 a.m. If clouds are building before you get there, go back down.
Crux
The narrow stretch of ridge between 13,600 and 13,800 feet. The walking is still easy, but just a single trail runs along the crest.
Route-finding
The trickiest part is finding the start of the trail from the unmarked trailhead. After that, follow the trail across the gulch, up the gully and along the ridge.
Water
The stream in Iowa Gulch near the start. None higher. Carry 2 liters.
Take U.S. 24 through Leadville to the south edge of town. Go east on Monroe Street for 0.2 miles, then make a right onto Lake County Road 2 (Toledo Street).
Stay on the paved road for about 3.8 miles until it forks. Go left at the fork onto a 2WD dirt road and follow it about 3 miles up Iowa Gulch, to around 12,000 feet, below some mine buildings. The trailhead is unmarked, so park along the road. In winter, the dirt road is closed where it leaves County Road 2.
TundraTalus and screeRidgeScramblingExposed 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
Iowa Gulch trailhead 12,000' · 0 mi
Look for a small road that cuts back to the right and runs downhill beneath the main road. Walk down it.
Watch for: The trailhead has no sign. Take a moment to find the right start.
2
Start of the trail 11,980' · 0.05 mi
About 50 yards down the small road, the trail starts on the left. It goes down by a wooden power pole and on south to the stream.
3
Stream and willows 11,900' · 0.3 mi
Take the trail over the stream and southeast through willows, heading for Iowa Gulch's east end.
Watch for: A few parts of the trail are washed out. Look ahead to pick it up again.
4
East end of the gulch 12,000' · 0.7 mi
The trail turns south and southwest and climbs onto talus. It is thin in places but not hard to follow.
5
Gully between Sherman and Sheridan 12,600' · 1.2 mi
Continue to the gully between the two peaks. The trail climbs southeast up its left side.
6
Switchbacks 13,000' · 1.5 mi
Switchback up to about 13,000 feet, then swing left toward the saddle.
7
Sherman-Sheridan saddle 13,150' · 1.7 mi
Arrive at the saddle on its north side. Turn left and start north up Sherman's southwest ridge.
Watch for: Check the weather here.
8
Narrow ridge 13,700' · 1.95 mi
There are several trail branches lower on the ridge, and they all go up. Between 13,600 and 13,800 feet the ridge narrows to a single trail on the crest.
Watch for: Stay on the trail. The sides drop off steeply.
9
South end of the summit ridge 13,950' · 2.05 mi
Go up the last steep pitch; it tops out at the southern end of the long, flat summit ridge.
10
Summit of Mount Sherman 14,043' · 2.25 mi
Walk about 0.2 miles north along the summit ridge to the true high point.
Watch for: Make sure you reach the far end. The first high spot is not the top.
Getting down
Return the same way. Walk back along the summit ridge, down the southwest ridge to the saddle, then down the gully and across the gulch. The last short climb from the stream back up to the road can feel harder than expected at the end of the day.
If things go wrong
The saddle is the main decision point. From there, the gully leads straight back down to the gulch and the road. If a storm hits on the ridge, head back to the saddle and down the gully right away.
Other routes
Every way up Mount Sherman we list, with its class.
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.
