Front Range Range · Colorado 13er · No. 57 of the 13ers
Southeast Ridge from Guanella Pass
Square Top Mountain, 13,799'
DifficultyClass 1
Round trip7.25 mi
Elevation gain2,400'
TrailheadGuanella Pass
Trailhead elevation11,670'
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 · Southeast Ridge from Guanella Pass
Overview
Square Top Mountain is the big flat-topped peak west of Guanella Pass. From the pass you follow the trail to the Square Top Lakes, then a well-worn path up the southeast ridge and a long, gentle walk along the summit ridge.
It is Class 2, with trail nearly all the way and one rough, steep stretch near 12,800 feet. The lakes alone are worth the trip.
The round trip is about 7.25 miles with 2,400 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 7 a.m.; the pass lots fill early on weekends.
Turnaround
Be at the east end of the summit ridge by 11:30 a.m.
Crux
About 250 feet of steep, rough trail near 12,800 feet.
Route-finding
Easy. Past the lakes, at a junction near 12,250 feet, turn off the South Park Trail onto the path heading up the ridge to the west.
From I-70, take the Georgetown exit, drive through town and follow signs for the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway about 12 miles to the top of the pass. From the south, turn north off US 285 in Grant and drive about 13 miles.
Use the upper lot, west of the road, where the restrooms are.
TundraRidgeExposed 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
Guanella Pass 11,670' · 0 mi
Near the restrooms, start on the South Park Trail, also signed for Square Top Lakes. Soon turn right and drop to Duck Creek.
2
Duck Creek 11,600' · 1.3 mi
Follow the trail west about a mile until it starts to climb.
3
Viewpoint 12,050' · 2 mi
Above 12,000 feet you can see most of the route. Drop a little to lower Square Top Lake.
4
Lower lake 12,050' · 2.2 mi
Just below the lake, cross the stream and climb a hill southwest. Stay left at the sign for the upper lake.
5
Ridge junction 12,250' · 2.5 mi
At a junction near 12,250 feet, turn west onto the path up the southeast ridge.
6
Rough stretch 12,800' · 2.85 mi
Past flatter ground near 12,500 feet, the ridge steepens and the trail gets rough for about 250 feet.
7
East end of the summit ridge 13,700' · 3.1 mi
Above 13,000 feet the ground is easier and the trail fainter. Walk gentle slopes to the summit ridge.
8
Summit 13,799' · 3.6 mi
Walk west about half a mile on a faint path to the true summit.
Getting down
Return the same way.
If things go wrong
The lakes and the trail are close below the ridge.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover yet
We haven’t built one for this route.
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 Square Top Mountain we list, with its class.
Southeast Ridgethis routeClass 1 7.25 mi
Wilcox, Argentine, Square Top Lolly Pop LoopClass 2 9.8 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.