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 and South Ridges from Upper Conundrum Basin
Overview
Hilliard Peak rises on the east side of upper Conundrum Basin, south of Aspen. Most people backpack in from the Pearl Pass Road over Twin Lakes and Coffeepot Pass and camp high in upper Conundrum Basin, away from the crowds at the hot springs. From camp you walk north below the east face of UN 13,552, climb onto Hilliard's east ridge, and follow it up to the south ridge and the summit.
It is Class 2+ on typical Elk Range ground: lush tundra low down, then loose rock and rubble with a few small detours around rocky spots.
The round trip is about 9.9 miles with about 4,100 feet of gain from the trailhead. Mileage and gain are our estimates. It pairs well with Keefe Peak to the north.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 7 a.m. from a high camp.
Turnaround
Be on the east ridge by 10 a.m.
Crux
The steepening, loose upper east ridge.
Route-finding
Easy. From camp, head north for about a mile toward the obvious east ridge that branches off Hilliard's south ridge.
Water
Middle Brush Creek, Twin Lakes and small ponds above them. 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 treesTundraRidgeTalus and screeExposed 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
Onto the east ridge 12,400' · 4.6 mi
Walk north on tundra below the east face of UN 13,552 and climb a short, steep slope onto Hilliard's east ridge.
9
South ridge 13,100' · 4.8 mi
Turn west and climb the ridge as it gets steeper. The grass gives way to loose rock; step around the harder rocky spots.
10
Summit 13,422' · 4.95 mi
Head north over a small false summit, drop a little, then walk up scattered blocks and scree to the top. Great views of Castle, Conundrum and Cathedral.
Getting down
Return the same way, or continue north to Keefe Peak.
If things go wrong
The east ridge leads straight back to the basin.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Past Twin Lakes the route crosses trailless tundra and a loose ridge. 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 Hilliard Peak we list, with its class.
Hilliard Peak South & SE Ridgethis routeClass 2+ 9.9 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.