South Face from the East Fork, over Frigid Air Pass
Fravert Peak, 13,063'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip19 mi
Elevation gain5,700'
TrailheadEast Fork Crystal River (Scofield Pass)
Trailhead elevation10,425'
Conditions on the summit
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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 · South Face from the East Fork, over Frigid Air Pass
Overview
Fravert Peak is a remote 13er at the head of Fravert Basin, behind the Maroon Bells. This route starts just below Scofield Pass north of Crested Butte, follows the West Maroon Pass trail up a valley full of wildflowers, crosses Frigid Air Pass into Fravert Basin, wades the creek, and climbs a very steep grassy slope to the summit ridge.
It is Class 2, but the 2,300-foot slope above the creek is intensely steep and would be dangerous when wet. On the way out you have to climb about 1,600 feet back up to Frigid Air Pass.
The round trip is about 19 miles with 5,700 feet of gain. One party took 12 hours, including lots of photo stops. Save it for peak wildflower season in mid-July.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m.
Turnaround
Be at the creek crossing in Fravert Basin by 9:30 a.m. and on the summit by 1 p.m.
Crux
The very steep grassy slope above the creek, especially coming down.
Route-finding
Moderate. Leave the Fravert Basin trail near 10,850 feet. A low rock rib running north to the creek gets you through the willows. Going up, stay between cliff outcrops and avoid the red cliffs to the west.
Water
The East Fork and the creek in Fravert Basin. Filter it.
From Gunnison, take Highway 135 to Crested Butte and continue north through Mt. Crested Butte on County Road 317, which turns to gravel. Pass Gothic, Gothic Campground and the Rustler Gulch turnoff, climb past Emerald Lake, and go over Scofield Pass, an unmarked high point in the trees roughly 15.3 miles beyond Crested Butte's main four-way stop.
The trailhead is about 0.8 mile past the pass. A 4WD usually isn't needed; crossover SUVs with some clearance make it, though potholes get deep after rain.
From June 15 to August 15, you may only camp in designated sites in the East River valley. Near the trailhead there are tent spots in the trees just up the trail, primitive sites along a road heading northwest from the lot, and more along the Paradise Divide road. Cabins in the meadow west of the trailhead are private.
East Fork Crystal River (Scofield Pass). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Trail in the treesTundraTalus 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
East Fork trailhead 10,425' · 0 mi
Head northeast into the forest on Trail 1970, the West Maroon Pass trail.
2
Old cabins 10,700' · 0.8 mi
Pass a couple of old cabins. The trail climbs steeply for a while, then breaks into meadows full of sunflowers, paintbrush and columbines.
3
Trail turns east 11,200' · 2.5 mi
For more than two miles the trail climbs gently northeast, then turns east toward West Maroon Pass. A trailless shortcut straight uphill from a lone group of trees here saves distance but is wet and flattens flowers.
4
Frigid Air junction 11,720' · 3.4 mi
Turn left on Trail 1974 toward Frigid Air Pass.
5
Frigid Air Pass 12,380' · 4.3 mi
The trail runs northwest, then doubles back east and climbs steeply to the pass, loose and gravelly near the top. Fravert Basin opens up below.
6
Down into Fravert Basin 11,200' · 5.8 mi
Switchback down onto tundra, push through willows, and drop into the trees beside the creek. There are designated backcountry campsites along here.
7
Creek crossing 10,850' · 6.7 mi
Leave the trail near 10,850 feet, before it drops to a lower basin. A low rock rib running north to the creek avoids most of the willows. Wade across.
Watch for: Boots off; the water is cold.
8
Steep slope 12,700' · 8.3 mi
Climb nearly 2,300 feet up very steep grass and flowers, staying between cliff outcrops on grass and tundra. Avoid the red cliffs farther west, where you could get stuck.
Watch for: Dangerous when wet. Watch the weather.
9
Summit 13,063' · 9.5 mi
On the ridge, walk west on scree and rubble past a false summit with a big cairn to the true top. Views of Hagerman, Snowmass, the back of the Maroon Bells and Belleview.
Getting down
Head back east along the ridge, past a narrow flat stretch, and find your line down the steep slope before any rain, using trampled grass and a small row of pines about two-thirds of the way down as guides. Cross the creek, rest, then climb back over Frigid Air Pass.
If things go wrong
Below the ridge, go back down to the creek and the trail.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Past Fravert Basin the route climbs a steep, trailless slope. 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 Fravert Peak we list, with its class.
UN 13,063 "Fravert Peak" South Facethis routeClass 2 19 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.