Is it right for you?
Organ Mountain is a high 13er just east of San Luis Peak in a remote part of the La Garita Mountains. Rock pillars on one side of the summit look like organ pipes. Organ Mountain, Baldy Alto, nearby Stewart Peak and San Luis Peak all make sense from one short backpack trip up Stewart Creek.
This is best done as a backpack. You hike about 5 miles up the Stewart Creek trail to a camp on the South Fork, then climb the northwest ridge on grass, tundra and rock set in the ground, cut over to the saddle north of the summit, and finish on bigger boulders. It is Class 2 with no exposure. Kids of 10 and 12 have done it from camp.
The round trip is about 12.6 miles with 3,335 feet of gain from the trailhead. From camp, the summit is about 1.3 miles and 1,685 feet up.
Plan of the day
Leave camp by 6:30 a.m.
Be at the saddle north of the summit by 10:30 a.m.
Boulders on the last stretch.
Easy. Leave the northwest ridge before Point 13,540 and aim for the saddle north of the summit.
Stewart Creek and its south fork. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,808'…—
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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.
Getting there
Stewart Creek
Take Highway 114 south from US 50, about 7.5 miles east of Gunnison. Drive 20 miles and turn right on NN14 (BLM 3083). From Saguache over North Pass, this turn is about 7.5 miles below the pass. Follow good gravel about 7 miles to the south end of the Dome Lakes and turn right. Reset your odometer here.
This road is County Road 2166 (also signed 15GG or BLM 3086). It loops around the lake and runs north along its west side for about a mile; turn left to stay on 2166. Keep right at about 4.2 miles, where it becomes 14DD. Between miles 6 and 7 you enter national forest, the road becomes Forest Road 794, and it gets rougher. Stay on 794 to the Stewart Creek trailhead, just under 21 miles from Dome Lakes. Older books send you by Forest Roads 788 and 790; this way is quicker and simpler.
All told it's close to 30 miles of dirt. Some cars make it, but rain can rut the road, so a crossover or anything with more clearance is the better choice. There is a little camping at the trailhead and a larger area a short way east down the road at the next sharp right bend. The Eddiesville trailhead, with a toilet, is about half a mile east.
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
Stewart Creek. 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 →