Overview
Rosalie Peak is the high point of a long, gentle ridge in the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness, southwest of Denver. From the Deer Creek trailhead you follow the Tanglewood Trail up a lovely creek to a saddle between Rosalie and Pegmatite Points, then walk about 1,600 feet up a broad tundra ridge to a flat summit.
It is an easy Class 1 to 2 hike with no scrambling; the steepest spot is just before a false summit. There are bristlecone pines near treeline.
The round trip is about 11 miles with 4,285 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 10:30 a.m.
Just the length.
Easy. Stay right at both early junctions to stay on the Tanglewood Trail. At the saddle marked by a tall wooden pole, leave the trail and head west.
Deer Creek and Tanglewood Creek. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Deer Creek
From Denver, take US 285 southwest to Pine Junction. 4.0 miles past Pine Junction, turn right at a stoplight onto County Road 43A. After 0.3 mile, merge onto County Road 43. Keep left at a Y at 6.7 miles; pavement ends at 7.8 miles. Pass Deer Creek Campground and reach the trailhead at about 8.8 miles.
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
Deer Creek. 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 →