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 and Couloir, via Snow Lake
Overview
Mount Silverthorne, also called Willow Benchmark, sits deep in the Gore Range beyond Snow Lake. From a camp at Deluge Lake, you cross Snow Pass, drop past Snow Lake, climb a goat-worn gully to a high terrace, then take the south ridge and a rubble couloir to the summit plateau.
It is Class 2+ with minimal exposure, but the upper couloir is miserable: rubble stacked on rubble with poor footing everywhere. Solid rock ribs on the couloir's east side can be easier.
From the trailhead, combined with Snow Peak, it is about 16 miles with 7,075 feet of gain, realistic only as a backpack. From a camp at Deluge Lake it is about 7 miles and 4,000 feet, around 3 hours each way.
Plan of the day
Start by
From a camp at Deluge Lake, by 5 a.m.
Turnaround
Be at the terrace above the gully by 10 a.m.
Crux
The loose rubble couloir below the summit plateau.
Route-finding
Moderate. Find the goat path to Snow Pass and the gully east of the creek below Snow Lake.
Water
Deluge Lake, Snow Lake and the creek below it. Filter it.
From I-70, get off at exit 180 for East Vail, roughly 4 miles past the main Vail exit heading east. Go south, then east on Bighorn Road for about 2.3 miles through homes and condos. The road passes under the interstate and curves east and southeast; the trailhead parking is on that curve, just before the Gore Creek Campground.
Any car can get here. The lot overflows on weekends, so arrive early. There may be more parking on the shoulder past the campground.
Trail in the treesTundraTalus and screeRidgeExposed 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
Gore Creek trailhead 8,710' · 0 mi
Start on the Deluge Lake Trail. It climbs steeply through switchbacks in aspen and pine right away.
2
Deluge Creek 10,200' · 2.5 mi
The trail keeps climbing into the Deluge Creek valley, easing a little higher up.
3
Deluge Lake 11,740' · 4.5 mi
Reach the lake below a ring of Gore peaks. Most people camp here for a multi-day trip.
4
East side of the lake 11,800' · 4.6 mi
From the lake's east side, follow a stream east-southeast toward Snow Pass on tundra, then climb a steep step of giant boulders to a boulder bench below Valhalla's south ridge.
Watch for: Cross the stacked boulders carefully.
5
Goat path to the pass 12,300' · 5 mi
Climb steep tundra just right of the talus below the cliffs. A clear path appears and turns east, angling up across scree fields toward the pass.
Watch for: Finding this path saves a miserable scree climb.
6
Snow Pass 12,680' · 5.4 mi
The last few hundred feet are braided goat and hiker paths on loose gravel. The view of the peaks around Snow Lake is stunning.
7
Down to Snow Lake 12,200' · 5.9 mi
From the pass (or from Snow Peak's north ridge near 12,700 feet), drop east. A path goes steeply down, then contours well above the lake's north shore to its east end.
8
Below Snow Lake 11,600' · 6.6 mi
Follow a faint trail through thick flowers on the south side of the drainage to a flat spot where the creek turns south past a few ponds.
9
Goat gully 12,100' · 6.8 mi
On the creek's east side, climb a steep, narrow gully through rock and brush. Goats have worn a good path.
10
High terrace 12,400' · 7 mi
The gully opens onto a broad tundra terrace. Walk east to a saddle on Silverthorne's south ridge.
11
South ridge 12,650' · 7.4 mi
Head north up the ridge. About 200 feet up, contour right into a tundra bowl and climb to the foot of a big rubble couloir.
12
Rubble couloir 13,200' · 7.8 mi
Climb the couloir or the rock ribs on its east side to the summit plateau.
Watch for: Every rock is loose. Don't climb below others.
13
Summit 13,361' · 8 mi
Stroll north to the top.
Getting down
Reverse the route to Snow Lake and back over Snow Pass to Deluge Lake. Save energy for the climb back up to the pass.
If things go wrong
Before the couloir, return the way you came. Snow Lake is the low point; from there you must climb back to Snow Pass to get out.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
This route crosses a pass and a remote basin with no set trail. 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 Silverthorne we list, with its class.
Willow BM/Mt. Silverthorne S Ridge & Couloirthis routeClass 2+ 16 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.