Front Range Range · Colorado 13er · No. 467 of the 13ers
Via Andrews Glacier from Glacier Gorge
Taylor Peak, 13,157'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip12.4 mi
Elevation gain3,975'
TrailheadGlacier Gorge (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Trailhead elevation9,240'
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 · Via Andrews Glacier from Glacier Gorge
Overview
Taylor Peak sits on the Continental Divide above Loch Vale and Sky Pond. From the Glacier Gorge trailhead you pass Alberta Falls and The Loch, climb to Andrews Tarn, go up the Andrews Glacier snowfield to Andrews Pass, and walk tundra slopes to the summit.
It is Class 2, but you cross a permanent snowfield of moderate steepness. An ice axe is useful, especially for the descent.
The round trip is about 12.4 miles with 3,975 feet of gain. Powell Peak is next along the Divide.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m.; you need a park timed-entry reservation or an early arrival.
Turnaround
Be at Andrews Pass by 9:30 a.m.
Crux
The Andrews Glacier snowfield.
Route-finding
Easy. Well-signed trail to Andrews Tarn; then up the snowfield and southwest across tundra.
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.
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.
Trail in the treesRidgeTundraExposed 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
Glacier Gorge trailhead 9,240' · 0 mi
Leave from the southwest end of the lot, cross Glacier Creek and pass a small fern forest.
2
Bear Lake trail junction 9,300' · 0.3 mi
Turn left toward Alberta Falls.
3
Alberta Falls 9,400' · 0.8 mi
Continue past the falls to the junction where the Glacier Gorge trail goes left. Stay right toward The Loch.
4
The Loch 10,190' · 2.7 mi
Pass the lovely lake at the head of Loch Vale.
5
Andrews Glacier turnoff 10,600' · 3.5 mi
About 0.8 mile past The Loch, turn onto the trail for Andrews Tarn and Glacier.
6
Andrews Tarn 11,380' · 4.5 mi
Past the valley called The Gash, with the Sharkstooth spire at its head, climb steeply about 400 feet to the tarn.
Watch for: Snow may cover the trail early in summer.
7
Andrews Pass 12,000' · 5.2 mi
Climb about 600 feet up the Andrews Glacier snowfield to the pass. A path is usually kicked in.
Watch for: An ice axe is good to have, especially coming down.
8
Taylor Peak 13,157' · 6.2 mi
Walk about a mile southwest up moderate tundra with bands of rock, about 1,200 feet, to the summit. Huge cliffs drop 1,500 feet to Sky Pond.
Watch for: Stay back from the cliff edges.
Getting down
Return the same way. Glissading Andrews Glacier is fun if you know how to use an ice axe.
If things go wrong
Andrews Pass and the glacier lead back to the trail.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above Andrews Pass the route is trailless tundra. 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 Taylor Peak we list, with its class.
Taylor Peak via Andrews Glacierthis routeClass 2 12.4 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.