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 Slope from Peak X
Overview
Peak Z, sometimes called Gorgeous Peak, sits in a remote corner of the Gore Range. From the west, the usual way climbs Peak X first, drops off its east ridge into the basin to the south, passes a shelf lake, and climbs a steep, rocky slope to Peak Z's distinctive flat south ridge.
It is Class 2+ with minimal exposure, but steep: some very steep tundra coming off Peak X, and a rocky band below Peak Z's south ridge where you use the rock for handholds. The ridge between Peak X and Peak Z is far harder and not recommended.
From the lower Pitkin Creek campsite, Peaks X and Z together are about 7.7 miles with 4,475 feet of gain, including 400 to 500 feet back up to Usable Pass. From the trailhead it's 15.2 miles, best done as a backpack.
Plan of the day
Start by
From the lower campsite, by 5 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on Peak X by 10 a.m. before committing to Peak Z.
Crux
The steep descent off Peak X's east ridge, and the rocky band below Peak Z's flat south ridge.
Route-finding
Difficult. Drop off Peak X's east ridge to the right into a big couloir that leads south; then head east past the shelf lake.
Water
A shelf lake near 11,880 feet and streams below. Filter it.
From I-70, get off at exit 180 for East Vail, roughly 4 miles past the main Vail exit heading east. Cross to the interstate's north side and go right (east) on Fall Line Drive. Drive a short way past condos and cross Pitkin Creek. The small trailhead lot is right after the bridge.
There are only about 10 spaces, and a sign limits parking to two days; call the Vail police for permission to park longer. Don't park in the cul-de-sac just beyond. If the lot is full, try the parking area just south of the interchange on Bighorn Road and walk back.
Trail in the treesRidgeTundraTalus 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
Pitkin Lake trailhead 8,450' · 0 mi
The Pitkin Lake Trail starts out easy, following the creek's east bank, then crosses on a bridge.
2
Steep log steps 9,100' · 0.7 mi
The trail suddenly climbs very steeply on log steps for about half a mile, then eases, staying above the creek.
3
Beside the creek 9,700' · 2 mi
The trail runs right beside the creek for a while, then crosses a meadow and climbs to another bench.
4
Lower campsite 10,460' · 3.3 mi
The path fords Pitkin Creek's west fork. A large campsite sits just past the crossing, shortly before the trail turns left and climbs steeply to Pitkin Lake.
5
Peak X 13,094' · 6.35 mi
Climb Peak X by its SSW ridge (see that page).
6
Peak X east ridge 12,800' · 6.6 mi
Go back along the SSW ridge to where the east ridge starts and descend it. It is steep but manageable at first.
7
Off the ridge 12,400' · 6.9 mi
Where the ridge seems to drop away, leave it to the right and descend steep tundra and rock to the head of a big couloir running south.
Watch for: Very steep in places. Face in if needed.
8
Couloir 12,000' · 7.2 mi
Descend the couloir on scree, then rockier ground, until it levels out around 12,000 feet.
9
Shelf lake 11,880' · 7.6 mi
Turn east over gentler tundra and rock outcrops past a colorful shelf lake.
10
Rocky band 12,900' · 8.1 mi
Climb tundra and boulder fields right of the X-Z ridge, then a steep, rocky slope through a cliff band, boulders and scree onto the flat south ridge.
Watch for: Use the rock for handholds. Loose scree above.
11
Summit 13,227' · 8.3 mi
From the flat ridge, it's a bit over 200 feet north to the top, with a little scrambling.
Getting down
Return to the flat ridge and, for variety, follow the southwest ridge down to the saddle, then drop back into the basin and climb back over Usable Pass to Pitkin Creek.
If things go wrong
The basin between the peaks is the low point. From there, the only way home is back over Usable Pass.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
This route crosses remote, trailless basins and ridges. 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.
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.