Overview
Taylor Peak is a short, friendly 13er at the head of the Taylor River, northeast of Crested Butte. From the end of the Taylor River road, you bushwhack a short way up to an old 4WD road, walk past an old cabin, and climb the broad, grassy northeast ridge to the top.
It is Class 2, mostly tundra, with rock and rubble in the last few hundred feet. The trickiest part is the short bushwhack through fallen trees at the start.
The round trip is about 4 miles with 2,665 feet of gain. Most people take 2.5 to 3.5 hours to reach the top. Star Peak is the next summit south, but the ridge between them is rough.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the summit by noon.
Nothing hard. The fallen trees at the start are the most annoying part.
Easy to moderate. Keep the creek on your left going up the first slope, then find the side track to the old cabin.
The creek above the road's end. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Taylor River
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.
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
Taylor River. 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 →