Front Range Range · Colorado 13er · No. 193 of the 13ers
South Ridge from South Arapaho Peak
North Arapaho Peak, 13,513'
Class 3 with some exposure, possibly Class 4
The half-mile ridge from South Arapaho to North Arapaho is a real scramble. Staying right on the crest means a Class 4 move over a small tower; the painted-arrow line keeps it Class 3. This page is an outline, not a move-by-move guide.
DifficultyClass 3
Round trip10.1 mi
Elevation gain4,000'
TrailheadFourth of July
Trailhead elevation10,140'
Conditions on the summit
LoadingFetching the forecast for 13,513'…
—Summit temp now
—Sustained wind
—Gusting to
—Freezing level
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Tomorrow
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Day three
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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 Ridge from South Arapaho Peak
Overview
North Arapaho Peak is the high point of the Indian Peaks, reached by a popular scramble along the ridge from South Arapaho Peak. You climb South Arapaho by the Arapaho Glacier Trail, then traverse about three-quarters of a mile northwest along a rocky ridge above the Arapaho Glacier cirque.
The traverse is Class 3 with moderate exposure; plan on an hour each way. The middle third is the hardest. Orange painted arrows mark a line near the crest, but they are easy to miss. The rock is mostly solid, with some rotten spots.
The round trip is about 10.1 miles with about 4,000 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. Old Baldy is a 15-minute add-on from the saddle on the way back.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on South Arapaho by 9:30 a.m. and leave North Arapaho by 11:30 a.m.
Crux
The middle third of the ridge.
Route-finding
Moderate. Look for the orange painted arrows. If you lose them, you can drop west through a few couloirs, losing about 120 feet, and climb back to the ridge.
From Nederland on Colorado 119, turn onto County Road 130 toward Eldora. Pass Nederland High School and the road up to Eldora ski area; about 1.8 miles later you reach the town of Eldora. Drive through town, where the road turns to dirt.
About three-quarters of a mile after the dirt starts, keep right at the sign for the Fourth of July trailhead and Buckingham Campground. It is about 4 more miles past cabins to the trailhead, in the upper lot just past the campground. Most cars make it, but not very low ones. The lot fills early on summer weekends.
Trail in the treesTalus and screeRidgeTundraScramblingExposed 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
Fourth of July trailhead 10,140' · 0 mi
Follow signs for the Arapaho Pass Trail from the north side of the lot. Stay on the main, well-worn trail; there are lots of side paths.
2
Diamond Lake junction 10,750' · 1.1 mi
Stay on the Arapaho Pass Trail.
3
Old mine 11,200' · 2 mi
After a nearly level, scenic stretch, reach the ruins of the Fourth of July mine. Turn right onto the smaller Arapaho Glacier Trail.
4
12,000 feet 12,000' · 3 mi
Cross a stream or marshy spot, pass a big boulder and climb gradually. The summit comes into view.
5
Saddle 12,700' · 3.8 mi
Top out on the saddle linking South Arapaho with Old Baldy, with the Arapaho Glacier below. Leave the trail and head west past a wind shelter.
6
Rocky knob 13,000' · 4 mi
Climb just left of the ridge line, picking your way and following cairns.
Watch for: A few Class 3 moves are optional.
7
Summit 13,408' · 4.3 mi
Continue over a false summit to the top, with a small wind shelter and a metal peak finder disc.
8
First third 13,300' · 4.55 mi
Head northwest along the crest, with views into the glacier cirque. This part goes quickly.
9
Middle section 13,250' · 4.8 mi
The hardest part. Follow the painted arrows near the crest. A small tower on the crest is Class 4; two more can be skirted below. Or contour down the west side through couloirs and climb back up.
Watch for: Exposed. Test rock before trusting it.
10
Summit 13,513' · 5.05 mi
Back on the ridge, work the east side a little, then climb big boulders to the flat summit with its huge cairn.
Getting down
Return the same way over South Arapaho. Tag Old Baldy from the saddle on the way down.
If things go wrong
South Arapaho's trail is the only easy way down. Leave plenty of time for the ridge back.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
The ridge between the Arapaho Peaks has no set trail. 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 North Arapaho Peak we list, with its class.
South Ridge - N. Arapaho Peakthis routeClass 3 11.6 mi
Via Fourth of July TH and South Arapaho PeakClass 4 10.2 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.