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 · South Ridge
Overview
Mount Powell is the highest peak in the Gore Range and one of its easiest summits. From Piney Lake north of Vail, a long trail approach and a steep climbers' path lead to a basin below the peak. From there you climb tundra benches and gullies to Powell's south ridge and follow it to the top.
It is Class 2+. There is a trail most of the way. The upper mountain mixes tundra benches, rock outcrops and talus, with a final walk over medium boulders. Early in the season you may cross snow.
The round trip is about 11.6 miles with 4,200 feet of gain as a long day hike. Many people backpack to the basin at 11,225 feet and add Eagles Nest, Peak C and Peak G over two or three days.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. for a day hike. It is a long trail approach before the real climb.
Turnaround
If you are not at the basin meadow by 9 a.m., or clouds build, turn around.
Crux
The steep, easily lost climbers' path into the basin, and snow on the upper couloirs early in the season.
Route-finding
Moderate. Watch for the cairn at the falls turnoff. Above the basin, aim for the break in Powell's south ridge near 12,460 feet.
From I-70 at Vail (exit 176), go through the roundabout onto the North Frontage Road and drive west about 0.9 mile. Turn right on Red Sandstone Road. After two switchbacks on pavement, turn left onto the dirt Forest Road 700 at the third bend and reset your trip meter.
Stay left at the Lost Lake Road fork near 2.7 miles and go straight past two more forks around 6.5 to 6.7 miles. The road then drops to the Piney River. Cross the bridge and turn right toward Piney Lake. At about 10.65 miles, park in the Forest Service lot on the right, just before the Piney River Ranch entrance. Allow about 45 minutes; most cars can make it.
Trail in the treesRidgeExposed 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
Piney River Ranch trailhead 9,360' · 0 mi
Start on the Piney River Trail (#1885) from the north side of the lot. It climbs above Piney Lake right away and stays well above the valley floor.
2
Soda Lakes junction 9,500' · 1 mi
Stay on the main trail. The trail that forks left here goes to the Soda Lakes.
3
Falls turnoff 9,800' · 3.1 mi
The trail drops toward the river near the falls. About five minutes past them, a tall cairn on the left marks a climbers' trail into the basin below Mount Powell and Peak C. An older turnoff a few minutes farther on works too.
Watch for: The first turnoff is partly hidden by a fallen tree.
4
Steep climbers' trail 10,500' · 3.8 mi
The path climbs very steeply north through forest, then gets lost in tall wildflowers and willows. After a boggy stretch it reappears and climbs an open bench.
Watch for: Easy to lose. Keep heading up and east into the basin.
5
Basin meadow 11,225' · 4.5 mi
Reach the meadow at the foot of the big split couloir below Kneeknocker Pass, the saddle between Powell and Peak C. This is the usual campsite for a multi-day trip.
6
Tundra benches 12,460' · 5 mi
From the meadow, head up alongside the right-hand (north) branch of the big couloir, staying on tundra where you can. A few hundred feet below Kneeknocker Pass, bear left up a grassy slope to a gully that reaches a gap in the south ridge.
Watch for: Snow may linger in this gully into early summer.
7
South ridge 12,800' · 5.3 mi
Follow the ridge a short way, then a path moves onto its east side. Climb and contour around rock outcrops and across small gullies on mostly solid tundra.
8
Upper saddle 13,300' · 5.6 mi
Climb the left side of the main south-face couloir to a small saddle.
9
Summit 13,556' · 5.8 mi
Walk over medium-sized rocks, or snow early on, to the top. The whole jagged Gore Range is spread out around you.
Getting down
Go back the way you came. The steep climbers' path below the basin is harder to follow going down; stay patient and keep heading down to the Piney River Trail.
If things go wrong
The basin meadow is the safe fallback. From anywhere on the upper mountain, go back down the way you came.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above the Piney River Trail the route follows a steep climbers’ path and open slopes. 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 Mount Powell we list, with its class.
Mount Powell South Ridgethis routeClass 2+ 11.6 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.