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 · Northeast Ridge from Boreas Pass
Overview
Red Peak sits west of Boreas Pass, south of Breckenridge. From the pass a trail climbs over Point 12,029; you go over Point 12,331, drop 600 feet to a saddle, follow an old 4WD road to its end, and climb Red's northeast ridge through a rocky bowl to the summit.
It is Class 2, with lots of ups and downs and some loose rock that is easy to avoid.
The round trip is about 6.25 miles with 3,400 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 7 a.m.
Turnaround
Be at the end of the 4WD road by 10:30 a.m.
Crux
The ups and downs, including 600 feet to regain on the way back.
Route-finding
Moderate. From Point 12,331, walk south along its crest a few hundred yards before dropping west-northwest under the power lines to the road on the saddle.
At the south end of Breckenridge, turn east on Boreas Pass Road. The pavement ends after about 3.5 miles, where the road is closed in winter. In summer, drive 6.5 more miles of easy dirt road to the top of Boreas Pass, with a few small buildings, signs, an old boxcar and plenty of parking.
TundraRidgeRoadTalus and screeExposed 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
Boreas Pass 11,482' · 0 mi
Start near the north end of the boxcar and follow the trail west through willows into the forest.
2
Point 12,029 12,029' · 0.7 mi
The trail winds up and traverses south to the top of the point.
3
Point 12,331 12,331' · 1.3 mi
Head down past an old, open mine shaft, walk across the wide saddle beyond, and take an old road onto the north ridge of Point 12,331, then up to its top.
Watch for: Stay away from the mine shaft.
4
South end of the point 12,300' · 1.45 mi
Walk south along the summit ridge, following a line of cairns.
5
Saddle and road 11,700' · 1.85 mi
Descend about 600 feet west-northwest, under power lines, through trees and across a meadow to a 4WD road on the saddle.
6
End of the road 12,200' · 2.4 mi
Follow the road west into the trees, stay left at a fork and continue south over a small hill. It ends on Red's northeast ridge.
7
Northeast ridge 12,800' · 2.7 mi
Climb directly west about 600 feet, avoiding loose rock, until the slope eases.
8
Rocky bowl 13,000' · 2.95 mi
At the first point, follow a faint path left in front of it into a rocky bowl where the summit comes into view.
9
Summit 13,219' · 3.1 mi
No trail on the last pitch. It's easiest to gain the crest to one side of the top, left or right, and walk up from there.
Getting down
Return the same way, including the climb back up to Point 12,331.
If things go wrong
The road on the saddle is a good fallback.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover yet
We haven’t built one for this route.
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.
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.