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 · East Basin and North Slope from Conundrum Creek
Overview
Hunter Peak towers over lower Conundrum Creek, south of Aspen. From a high camp in upper Conundrum Basin you walk down the Conundrum Creek Trail past the hot springs, climb west through forest into the big basin east of the peak, gain a saddle north of the summit, and walk a broad grassy ridge to the top.
It is Class 2+, with only easy boulder scrambling in the last 200 feet. The work is in the numbers: about 3,500 feet up from the creek, then about 2,200 feet back up the trail to a high camp.
From the Pearl Pass Road over Twin Lakes it is about 18.4 miles with 7,100 feet of gain, usually as part of a multi-day trip. Mileage and gain are our estimates. This is the one Conundrum peak that makes more sense from the Conundrum Creek trailhead near Ashcroft.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m. from a high camp. Plan on a 9-hour day.
Turnaround
Be at the saddle north of the summit by 11 a.m.
Crux
The steep forest climb out of the valley and a long day of gain.
Route-finding
Moderate. Leave the trail at the stream draining the basin east-northeast of Hunter. Cross it just below its narrow gorge and climb west through the trees.
Water
Conundrum Creek and the stream below Hunter's east basin. Filter it.
From Gunnison, take Highway 135 north through Almont toward Crested Butte. About 2 miles before Crested Butte, turn right onto County Road 738, the Pearl Pass Road. It starts paved through a subdivision, then turns to gravel.
Passenger cars can go 4 to 5 miles, to just past where the East River comes in. Park at a primitive camping area on the right, just as the road starts to climb. With high clearance, keep going: stay right at a junction about a mile later, ford West Brush Creek, and drive about 4.5 more miles to the Twin Lakes parking, which turns off the road to the left.
There are good primitive campsites with some trees at the trailhead, often busy on weekends.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeOff-trail, no set pathTalus 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
Twin Lakes trailhead 10,425' · 0 mi
Cross Middle Brush Creek (wade it or find a way across), climb north a little, then turn northwest on Trail 402 toward Twin Lakes.
Watch for: The crossing can be high in early summer.
2
Into the wilderness 10,900' · 1.5 mi
The trail crosses open ground and patches of high forest on the east side of the creek, then enters the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness. Overnight visitors must fill out a permit at the boundary.
3
Willows 11,300' · 2.7 mi
About half a mile below the lakes the trail crosses to the west side of the creek and pushes through thick, wet willows. It can be hard to follow here.
4
Twin Lakes 11,580' · 3.2 mi
Reach the north end of the upper lake. There are a few campsites near the lower lake, and more on tundra benches above.
5
Pass above Twin Lakes 12,500' · 3.6 mi
A usable trail keeps climbing through lush flowers to the pass west-northwest of the lakes, then fades on the tundra benches beyond.
6
Coffeepot Pass 12,740' · 4 mi
Walk about a mile northwest over easy tundra to Coffeepot Pass and look down into upper Conundrum Basin.
7
Upper Conundrum Basin 12,200' · 4.3 mi
Drop north from Coffeepot Pass on Trail 1981 and leave it for the grassy benches east of UN 13,214. This is a good, quiet high camp about a mile above Conundrum Hot Springs.
Watch for: Camping near the hot springs needs a reserved permit. Check current rules.
8
Conundrum Hot Springs 11,200' · 5.3 mi
Follow Trail 1981 down past the hot springs.
9
Leave the trail 10,000' · 7.2 mi
Continue north on the easy trail, past Silver Dollar Pond, to the stream draining the basin east-northeast of Hunter. A few hundred yards before it, angle uphill on open slopes to where the stream leaves its narrow gorge, and cross just below it through a few willows.
10
Forest climb 11,300' · 7.9 mi
Climb west, above the creek, through aspens and pines on steep slopes, helped by game trails. Near treeline the stream pours out of a bank.
11
East basin 11,600' · 8.1 mi
Enter a flat area at the foot of a huge bowl on Hunter's east side. Take a breather.
12
Saddle 12,700' · 8.6 mi
Head northwest up tundra, scree and talus toward the saddle just southwest of Point 12,839. The middle of the talus cone has some easier grass. Higher up, the right-hand couloir has more tundra, but angle back left near the saddle.
13
Summit 13,506' · 9.2 mi
Walk southwest, then south, up a broad grassy ridge. The last 200 feet is easy scrambling over big boulders. Look across East Maroon Creek to Pyramid Peak.
Getting down
Retrace the ascent route. A gully to the southeast saves about a mile but is steep scree and heavy willows, and isn't worth it. Then hike back up the trail, a climb of about 2,200 feet to upper Conundrum Basin, or stop for a soak at the springs.
If things go wrong
Below the saddle, go back down the basin and forest to the trail.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above Conundrum Creek the route climbs trailless forest and a basin. 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 Hunter Peak we list, with its class.
Hunter Peak East Basin/North Slopethis routeClass 2+ 18.4 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.