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 · Southeast Face and Ridge
Overview
West Partner Peak towers over Pitkin Lake northeast of Vail. From the lake you pick a line up tundra and grass on the peak's southeast face to its summit ridge, then follow the ridge of broken blocks northwest to the top.
It is mostly Class 2 with a little easy Class 3 near the summit. Staying just below the crest on the south side keeps the final quarter mile at Class 2+.
The round trip is about 13.5 miles with 4,690 feet of gain as a very long day, or much shorter from a camp near Pitkin Lake.
Plan of the day
Start by
From a camp near the lake, by 6 a.m. As a day hike, by 4:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on the summit ridge by 11 a.m.
Crux
The broken blocks of the summit ridge. Stay just south of the crest.
Route-finding
Easy. From the lake, plot a line up the southeast face that stays on tundra.
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 treesTalus 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
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
Pitkin Lake 11,380' · 4.5 mi
Climb the last steep stretch out of the valley to Pitkin Lake, ringed by the Partner Peaks.
6
West shore 11,400' · 4.6 mi
Follow the trail along the west shore toward West Partner. It fades among boulders.
7
Southeast face 12,000' · 5.1 mi
Cross the boulder field and head up the face toward the high point at the east end of the summit ridge. Stay away from the East-West Partner ridge until above 12,600 feet to avoid rubble.
8
Upper face 12,700' · 5.5 mi
Keep to tundra and grass as long as you can. You reach the south ridge near where it meets the summit ridge.
9
Summit ridge 12,900' · 5.65 mi
Everything turns to broken blocks. Work just below the crest on the south side.
Watch for: Staying on the crest is harder Class 3.
10
Summit 13,058' · 5.9 mi
Keep going northwest until the ridge drops away. The two high points are about the same height.
Getting down
Return the way you came.
If things go wrong
Drop back down the tundra of the southeast face to the lake.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above Pitkin Lake the route 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 West Partner Peak we list, with its class.
West Partner SE Face & Ridgethis routeClass 3 13.5 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.