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Front Range Range · Colorado 13er · No. 579 of the 13ers

West Flank from the Eisenhower Tunnel

Golden Bear Peak, 13,005'

DifficultyClass 2
Round trip6.5 mi
Elevation gain1,870'
TrailheadEisenhower Tunnel (west side)
Trailhead elevation11,140'

Conditions on the summit

Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,005'…
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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 · West Flank from the Eisenhower Tunnel

Overview

Golden Bear is an easy, family-friendly 13er on the Continental Divide right above the Eisenhower Tunnel. From the west portal of the tunnel you follow an old road and trail up a flowery valley, then climb grass to the Divide and walk north to a gentle summit.

It is Class 1 to 2, mostly tundra. Expect high winds.

The round trip is about 6.5 miles with 1,870 feet of gain. Hagar Mountain is farther north along the Divide.

Plan of the day

Start by

By 7 a.m.

Turnaround

Be on the Divide by 10:30 a.m.

Crux

Nothing hard.

Route-finding

Easy. Leave the old road at the 12,360-foot switchback and head east to the ridge.

Water

The creek in the valley. Filter it.

Getting to the trailhead

Trailhead

Eisenhower Tunnel (west side)

Find it on a map

Heading west on I-70, drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel in the right lane and take the exit right as you come out. Park out of the way of trucks near a road that heads east behind a building.

Heading east, take the exit on the right just before the tunnel, pass some small buildings, and follow the road as it climbs and loops over the tunnel entrance to the same parking area on the north side. There is no camping nearby.

Where to sleep

Base towns and camping for this climb

Georgetown & Idaho Springs About 12 mi away as the crow flies · 4 campgrounds listed · free camping: Stevens Gulch Road (Grays & Torreys) Lodging & camping → Breckenridge & Blue River About 16 mi away as the crow flies · 2 campgrounds listed · free camping: McCullough Gulch designated sites Lodging & camping →

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

Eisenhower Tunnel (west side). 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 →

Less traffic, less margin

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.