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 · Northeast Basin and North Ridge, over Taylor Peak
Overview
Star Peak is Taylor Peak's rockier neighbor at the head of the Taylor River. The usual trip climbs Taylor Peak first, drops off the connecting ridge onto a tundra slope, crosses a big rock glacier east of Star, and climbs to the saddle north of the summit. A short scramble over lichen-covered boulders finishes it.
It is Class 2+. The ridge straight from Taylor to Star has several big drops and climbs, rock spires and a deep gap, so we describe the easier way around. The boulders near the top are very slick when wet.
The loop over both peaks is about 6.75 miles with 3,890 feet of gain. To climb Star alone, follow Trail 582 southwest from the road's end, cross the river before the trail climbs, and walk up the west side of the stream into the rock glacier basin.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be leaving Taylor Peak's summit by 10:30 a.m.
Crux
Tedious boulder-hopping on the rock glacier and slick, lichen-covered rock near the top.
Route-finding
Moderate. Leave Taylor's ridge at about 12,800 feet, drop south on grass, then contour southwest below cliffs into the basin east of Star.
From Gunnison, take Highway 135 north to Almont and turn right on County Road 742. It is paved up the Taylor River canyon to Taylor Park Reservoir. At the junction east of the reservoir, turn left to stay on 742 heading north.
Past the Cottonwood Pass turnoff the road becomes good gravel for 8-plus miles to Dorchester Campground, then about 5 more miles to where it suddenly ends near the head of the Taylor River. The last 5 miles have been fine for cars with a bit of extra clearance, but check current conditions.
Plenty of small Forest Service campgrounds line the road up from Almont, with a few more north of the reservoir. Primitive sites line the south side of the road in the last two miles, and you can camp at the road's end.
RoadTrail in the treesRidgeTalus 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
End of FR 742 10,780' · 0 mi
Head north-northwest straight up the forested slope. Expect lots of fallen trees. Keep the creek draining the basin above on your left, within earshot.
2
FR 761.1D 11,300' · 0.4 mi
You hit an old 4WD road running northeast-southwest. Walk a little way along it to find a track heading northwest.
3
Old cabin 11,450' · 0.6 mi
The track crosses the creek and ends at the ruins of an old cabin.
4
Foot of the northeast ridge 11,900' · 1.2 mi
Walk north-northwest through open country along the west side of the stream to the base of Taylor Peak's broad northeast ridge.
5
Taylor Peak 13,438' · 2 mi
Climb Taylor's northeast ridge to its summit (see the Taylor Peak page).
6
Leave the ridge 12,800' · 2.3 mi
Walk south-southwest along the ridge to about 12,800 feet. Here, rather than following the ridge's ups, downs and spires, head down.
Watch for: The ridge beyond has a deep gap and rock towers.
7
Rock glacier basin 12,200' · 2.9 mi
Drop about 400 feet south on a strip of tundra, then turn southwest and contour around a small ridge and below cliffs into the large basin east of Star, mostly a rock glacier.
8
Saddle north of Star 13,100' · 3.4 mi
Cross the boulders toward the saddle just north of the summit.
Watch for: Slow, tiring boulder-hopping.
9
Summit 13,527' · 3.75 mi
Turn south and scramble over lichen-covered boulders and rock to the top.
Watch for: Very slippery when wet.
Getting down
Go back down the north ridge to the saddle, drop east onto the rock glacier, then southeast out of the basin onto tundra. Follow the west side of the stream down through the trees to the Taylor River, cross it, and take Trail 582 back to the road. Or pick up FR 761.1D as you leave the basin and follow it back toward where you first crossed it.
If things go wrong
From the rock glacier, head southeast out of the basin and down to the Taylor River trail.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
This route crosses a trailless rock glacier and boulder slopes. 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.
Other routes
Every way up Star Peak we list, with its class.
Star Peak NE Basin & N. Ridgethis routeClass 2+ 6.75 mi
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.