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 Ridge from Grand Traverse Peak
Overview
Mount Valhalla is the peak east of Grand Traverse Peak above Deluge Lake. The usual way climbs Grand Traverse first, then follows the connecting ridge east about a mile and a quarter to Valhalla.
It is Class 2+. The ridge looks complicated but goes easily: tundra at first, then gullies and short rocky ups and downs, mostly on the south side. The summit block is an easy scramble on solid rock.
The round trip is about 12.25 miles with 5,225 feet of gain as a very long day hike, or about 3.25 miles and 2,175 feet from a camp at Deluge Lake. The ridge from Grand Traverse takes about an hour and a quarter.
Plan of the day
Start by
From a camp at the lake, by 6 a.m. As a day hike, by 4:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on Grand Traverse Peak by 10 a.m. before starting the ridge.
Crux
A short steep climb to a small saddle just west of the summit, and the summit block.
Route-finding
Stay on the ridge crest or just to its south side.
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 treesTundraRidgeExposed 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
Saddle north of the lake 12,420' · 5.2 mi
Climb from the north end of the lake to the saddle north of it.
5
Grand Traverse Peak 13,063' · 5.5 mi
From the summit, head east along the ridge toward Valhalla.
6
Ridge traverse 12,900' · 6.1 mi
Tundra at first, then gullies and short rocky ups and downs. When you leave the crest, stay on its south side.
7
Saddle below the summit 13,050' · 6.6 mi
A short steep climb reaches a small saddle west of the summit, next to a rocky pinnacle.
Watch for: The pinnacle is an optional Class 3 scramble; it isn't the summit.
8
Summit 13,202' · 6.75 mi
Scramble the solid summit block.
Getting down
Go back to the saddle by the pinnacle. Descend south on loose scree and dirt, then move right onto firmer tundra. Pass a deep gully on its right, then follow tundra down a curving drainage back to Deluge Lake.
If things go wrong
From the saddle by the pinnacle, the south-side descent to the lake is the quickest way off.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
This ridge traverse has 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 Valhalla we list, with its class.
Mt. Valhalla West Ridgethis routeClass 2+ 12.25 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.