Overview
Electric Pass Peak is one of the easiest 13ers in the Elk Range. From the Cathedral Lake trailhead near Ashcroft, you climb the Cathedral Lake Trail up Pine Creek, turn off on the Electric Pass Trail just below the lake, and follow good trail almost to the top.
It is Class 1. There is no scrambling, and the grade stays moderate thanks to switchbacks. It is a good family hike for kids who can handle the distance and gain.
The round trip is listed at about 15.6 miles with 5,675 feet of gain. Many people camp near Cathedral Lake to split it up. Cathedral Lake itself is worth the short detour.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m. Parking fills early on summer weekends.
Be above treeline by 10:30 a.m. and on the summit by noon.
Just the length and the steady climb. There is no difficult ground.
Easy. Watch for the signed Electric Pass Trail branching right right where the Cathedral Lake Trail levels off above the steep switchbacks.
Pine Creek and Cathedral Lake. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Cathedral Lake
From the roundabout on Highway 82 just west of Aspen, take Castle Creek Road (County Road 15) about 11 miles to Ashcroft and keep going. Just under 12 miles from the roundabout, turn right (west) on a gravel road and drive half a mile to the trailhead. If you reach the Ashcroft Ski Touring Center and Pine Creek Cookhouse, you have passed the turn.
Parking is small and fills on summer weekends, with cars lining the road. There are no Forest Service campgrounds in the valley, only a few primitive sites along the trailhead road and farther up Castle Creek. Campers at Cathedral Lake need a free overnight permit from the trailhead and a bear canister.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Cathedral Lake. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →