Front Range Range · Colorado 13er · No. 250 of the 13ers
Ridge from Loveland Pass, over Cupid
Grizzly Peak, 13,435'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip5.5 mi
Elevation gain2,950'
TrailheadLoveland Pass
Trailhead elevation11,990'
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 · Ridge from Loveland Pass, over Cupid
Overview
Grizzly Peak is a big 13er south of Loveland Pass, often mixed up with the Sawatch 14er of the same name. From the top of Loveland Pass you follow the Divide east over Point 12,915 and Cupid, drop through some rock, go over a 12,936-foot bump, and climb Grizzly's northwest ridge.
It is Class 2+. The descent off Cupid has some rock outcrops to work through, and the final ridge has rocky sections to zigzag. It looks steeper than it is.
The round trip is about 5.5 miles with 2,950 feet of gain, with lots of ups and downs on the way back.
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
Loveland Pass 11,990' · 0 mi
From the east side of the pass, climb some steps and head east up a long ridge.
2
Point 12,915 12,915' · 0.8 mi
Go over the point or curve right just below its top.
3
Cupid 13,126' · 1.3 mi
Drop to the low point and climb to the top of Cupid.
4
Down from Cupid 12,700' · 1.6 mi
Carefully descend toward the next dip. About halfway down, work through rock outcrops.
Watch for: In winter and spring, stay off the cornices on the east side.
5
Bump 12,936 12,936' · 1.9 mi
Stay on the crest to the top of the next bump. Grizzly's northwest ridge comes into full view.
6
Low point 12,740' · 2.1 mi
Drop about 200 feet to the base of the final climb.
7
Summit 13,435' · 2.75 mi
Climb the ridge, zigzagging through rocky spots halfway up. Great views of Grays, Torreys and Lenawee.
Getting down
Return the same way, back over the bump and Cupid.
If things go wrong
Turn back along the ridge at any point.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Past Cupid the route follows a trailless ridge. 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 Grizzly Peak we list, with its class.
Grizzly and Cupid from Loveland Passthis routeClass 2 5.5 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.