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 · Northeast Ridge from Copper Mountain
Overview
Jacque Peak rises above the Copper Mountain ski area near Vail Pass. This route climbs the ski runs to the top of Union Mountain, then follows the broad ridge southwest to Jacque's summit.
It is an easy Class 2 walk on grass and tundra, with some chiprock and small rubble near the top. The ridge has ski-boundary fences and markers along it.
The round trip is about 9.8 miles with 3,400 feet of gain, usually 5 to 7 hours. It is an easy day trip from the Front Range.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on Union Mountain by 10:30 a.m.
Crux
Nothing technical. The climb up the ski runs is steady and steep.
Route-finding
Easy. A Copper Mountain ski map helps you pick your runs.
From I-70, take the Copper Mountain exit (Highway 91). Drive south a short way and turn west into Copper Mountain. Go past the first big lot, through a traffic circle, to a second lot on the road's north side, and leave the car there.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeTalus 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
Copper Mountain 9,815' · 0 mi
Walk west along the road, then south past Union Creek Village and the bottom of the lifts. Pick a ski run to start up.
2
Toward the Timberline lift 10,900' · 1.3 mi
Head up runs that lead to the bottom of the Timberline lift.
3
Union Mountain 12,313' · 3.3 mi
From the top of that lift, climb open ground to the top of Union Mountain.
4
Ridge to Jacque 12,800' · 4.2 mi
Head southwest along the ridge on tundra. Ski-boundary fences and markers dot the ridge.
5
Summit 13,212' · 4.9 mi
The last stretch has more chiprock and rubble. The top looks over Vail Pass, the Tenmile Range and Mount of the Holy Cross.
Getting down
Return the way you came, or vary it by hiking down a different run.
If things go wrong
The ski area is always below. Head back down toward the lifts.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
The route climbs ski runs and an open ridge with no single 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.
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.