Ridge from Coffeepot Pass

Overview

Triangle Peak sits right above Coffeepot Pass at the head of Conundrum Basin. From the Pearl Pass Road north of Crested Butte, you hike to Twin Lakes, cross the pass above them, walk over to Coffeepot Pass, and climb about 600 feet up the ridge to the west.

It is Class 2, mostly on firm ground, with one short, narrow gully just below the summit ridge that may hold a little snow. The highest point is hard to pick out, so walk the summit ridge to be sure.

The round trip is about 8.9 miles with about 2,980 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. From Coffeepot Pass it takes about an hour up and back, so it is often added to a backpack in to Conundrum Basin. Many people camp on the tundra benches beyond the pass above Twin Lakes, or in upper Conundrum Basin about three-quarters of a mile north of Coffeepot Pass, away from the crowds at Conundrum Hot Springs.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

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.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 7

   Summit ridge 13,300' · 4.35 mi

   Climb about 600 feet up the ridge on mostly firm rock. Just below the crest, work through one narrow little gully.

   Watch for: May hold snow into July.

8. 8

   Summit 13,405' · 4.45 mi

   Stroll and scramble along the summit ridge. The high point is hard to tell; walking the whole crest settles it. Good view of White Rock Mountain.

Getting down

Return to Coffeepot Pass the same way.

If things go wrong

Coffeepot Pass is only a few minutes below.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Triangle Peak we list, with its class.

• Triangle Peak East Ridge this routeClass 2 11.2 mi