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.
Colorado 13er · South-Southeast Ridge from Snowmass Creek
Overview
Clark Peak rises above the Pierre Lakes basin, west of Snowmass Creek. There is no easy way up it. This route follows the Snowmass Creek Trail about 3 miles, wades the creek, bushwhacks up Bear Creek past its waterfalls into the Pierre Lakes basin, and climbs the peak's broad south-southeast ridge.
It is Class 2+ with a little Class 3 at a cliff band. The ridge gets steadily worse near the top: the last 300 feet is a pile of big boulders that tip when you step on them. The creek crossing can be dangerous in early summer.
The round trip is about 15 miles with 5,200 feet of gain. Plan on a 12-hour day, or camp in the upper Bear Creek valley.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4:30 a.m. as a day hike.
Turnaround
Be at the cliff band near 12,600 feet by 10 a.m.
Crux
The Snowmass Creek crossing early in summer, the bushwhack up Bear Creek, and the tippy boulders near the summit.
Route-finding
Difficult. The trail up Bear Creek is faint. Always stay on the north side of the creek. Above the trees, aim northwest for the broad ridge between the two small lakes at its foot.
Water
Snowmass, Copper and Bear creeks and the Pierre Lakes. Filter it.
On Highway 82, about 4 miles up-valley from Basalt toward Aspen, turn south at the traffic light in the small town of Snowmass. After about 2 miles, go left at the T. Follow this road east and south: paved for 4 to 5 miles, then good gravel for about 4 more to a bridge over Snowmass Creek.
Past the bridge the road climbs to a junction. Turn right and go a few hundred yards south, past the East Snowmass trailhead, to where the road ends at the Snowmass Creek trailhead. One lot serves both trails and it overflows on summer weekends. There is no campground; car camping only. A locked ranch gate blocks the road beyond.
Trail in the treesTalus and screeScramblingExposed 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
Snowmass Creek trailhead 8,400' · 0 mi
Go through the gate (close it behind you) and climb about 200 feet, then contour south above the ranch on Trail 1975.
2
West Snowmass junction 8,500' · 1.5 mi
A side trail drops to the creek toward West Snowmass Creek. Keep going south on the main trail.
3
Creek crossing 8,700' · 3 mi
About 3 miles in, and about half a mile before Copper Creek comes in, look for cairns where the trail runs close to the creek. Wade across. If the trail starts climbing steeply, you've gone too far. A log crossing has been reported a little farther upstream.
Watch for: Snowmass Creek runs fast and deep in early summer. Don't cross if it looks dangerous.
4
Copper Creek 8,800' · 3.3 mi
A faint path heads south from the far bank; Copper Creek comes up about a quarter hour later. The trail gets hard to follow in the tall plants and willows.
5
Bear Creek falls 9,600' · 4.3 mi
Continue south about three-quarters of a mile, then turn southwest up Bear Creek. Cross a boulder field with a few cairns, staying north of the creek. The trail climbs steeply away from the falls through small aspens, willows, rocks and little cliffs.
6
Campsite 10,600' · 4.9 mi
The grade eases near 10,400 feet. A good campsite sits near 10,600 feet, close to the top of some falls.
7
Pierre Lakes 11,700' · 5.8 mi
Follow the faint trail up through the forest, steep again above 10,800 feet, to the last trees and your first view of Clark. Turn northwest and walk between the two small lakes at the foot of the ridge.
8
Cliff band 12,600' · 6.6 mi
Climb the broad ridge on easier rock or snow to a cliff band. Get through it a little left of the ridge on big rocks, ledges and grass. Stacked boulders below it can shift.
Watch for: Class 3 in spots.
9
Summit 13,579' · 7.5 mi
Above the cliff the ridge is gentler, then turns to more and more big loose boulders. The last 300 feet is all boulder-hopping. Staying as far left as you can near the top can avoid some of the worst.
Watch for: Boulders can roll onto your legs. Test every step.
Getting down
Return the same way. Snow on the ridge may let you glissade some of it. Take your time finding the Bear Creek trail on the way down; it is easy to lose.
If things go wrong
Below the cliff band, turn back down the ridge to the lakes.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Past Snowmass Creek the route is a rough bushwhack and a ridge of loose boulders. 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.
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.