Overview
McHenrys Peak rises above the head of Glacier Gorge and is known as the hardest non-technical 13er in Rocky Mountain National Park. From Black Lake you climb to Stone Man Pass between Chiefs Head and McHenrys, then follow a faint, winding path up the south side, through boulders and small cliff bands, to the summit ridge.
It is Class 3 in spots and gets steeper and rockier the higher you go. The top is surprisingly big and flat.
The round trip is about 13 miles with about 4,500 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. Many people pair it with Chiefs Head from a backcountry campsite (permit required).
Plan of the day
By 4:30 a.m.
Be at Stone Man Pass by 10 a.m.
Steep, rocky Class 3 scrambling on the upper south side.
Moderate. From Stone Man Pass, the path contours west, then climbs. It splits and fades; stay well below the ridge until you reach the upper south ridge.
Glacier Creek and the lakes. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Glacier Gorge (Rocky Mountain National Park)
From Estes Park, enter Rocky Mountain National Park at the Beaver Meadows entrance and drive Bear Lake Road to the Glacier Gorge trailhead. The lot fills very early; a park shuttle also stops here.
The park charges an entry fee and may require a timed-entry reservation in summer. Check the park website.
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
Glacier Gorge (Rocky Mountain National Park). 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 →