Overview
Pennsylvania Mountain is one of the easiest 13ers anywhere, a tundra walk northwest of Fairplay. A cairned trail leads out of the trees and up the southeast ridge; once it fades, you follow the ridge over a 12,871-foot point and across a broad basin to the summit.
It is Class 1, nearly all grass and tundra with a few rocky patches. The only drama is the steep drop off the northwest side of the summit.
The round trip is about 5.3 miles with 1,550 feet of gain, usually 2 to 3 hours. It is a great first 13er, and you can walk the ridge west to Mount Evans B.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be heading down by noon.
Nothing hard.
Follow the cairned trail to the bench near 11,900 feet, then follow the ridge west-northwest.
None. Carry it.
Getting to the trailhead
Pennsylvania Mountain
From the junction of US 285 and Highway 9 in Fairplay, drive north on Highway 9 for 3.1 miles and turn left on County Road 1. Reset your trip meter and go straight through any junctions. The road bends south and crosses Pennsylvania Creek.
Right after the creek, at 3.8 miles, turn right on Valley of the Sun Road (County Road 14A). Go west 1 mile to a switchback, go around it onto Bobcat Lane, and in about 900 feet turn left to stay on Bobcat Lane. At 6.3 miles, turn right on Mountain View Drive and follow it about 1.4 miles past private homes to the end of the road. Park there. The route is through a subdivision, so drive slowly and respect private property.
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
Pennsylvania Mountain. 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 →