Overview
Engelmann Peak is a quiet Front Range 13er north of Bard Peak. This route follows an old road up Ruby Creek, branches toward an old cabin, then climbs a minor west ridge through thinning forest and out onto steep tundra to the summit plateau.
It is Class 2 but steep and mostly without trail. The old roads don't match the maps well, so treat the lower route as a general direction and use a GPS.
The round trip is about 5 miles with 3,110 feet of gain. It took one party about two hours up.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at treeline by 10 a.m.
Finding your way through the forest; steep slopes.
Moderate. Take the first road branching left off the Ruby Creek road, find the old cabin, avoid the private land, and head up to the west ridge.
Ruby Creek. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Woods Creek (Ruby Creek)
From I-70, take exit 232 for US 40 toward Berthoud Pass. Go through Empire; about 11.9 miles from the center of Empire, just before the first switchback up to Berthoud Pass, turn left on County Road 202 toward the Henderson Mine.
After 0.6 mile, turn left on FR 146, the Woods Creek Road. It is steep gravel past ponds and Urad Reservoir, with more potholes and cobbles in the upper half, so better-than-average clearance helps. For Hassell Lake, park near the Woods Creek crossing, about 3.2 miles up. For Engelmann, park a little before the Ruby Creek crossing, on its north side.
There are primitive campsites near the trailhead, but they can be loud and crowded on weekends. Mizpah Campground, just east of Berthoud Falls, may be open; check first.
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
Woods Creek (Ruby 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 →