Overview
Peerless Mountain is the lower neighbor of Horseshoe Mountain above Fourmile Creek. This route follows a 4WD road to the saddle between the two peaks, then a short rocky trail north to Peerless's summit.
It is Class 1, almost all on road, with a short rocky trail at the end.
The round trip is about 6.5 miles with 1,750 feet of gain from the bottom of the 4WD road, usually 3 to 4 hours. Most people pair it with Horseshoe, which is just across the saddle.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard.
Follow the road to its end at the saddle, then turn north.
None. Carry it.
Getting to the trailhead
Fourmile Creek (Horseshoe road)
From Fairplay, head south on US 285 for a little more than a mile, then turn right (west) on County Road 18. Follow it about 10 miles to the old Leavick site at about 11,250 feet.
About 0.75 mile past Leavick, near 11,600 feet, a 4WD road turns off to the left. Park at the bottom in a regular car, or drive about half a mile up to a small parking spot on a bend if you have high clearance.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Fourmile Creek (Horseshoe road). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →