Is it right for you?
Ulysses S. Grant Peak, or US Grant, rises above Island Lake in the Ice Lake Basin group west of Silverton. The approach starts at a car-friendly trailhead and passes through some of the best wildflower meadows in Colorado.
You hike the busy Ice Lake trail to the lower basin, take a side trail to Island Lake, then climb tundra and talus to the low point that links US Grant with V 4. A path follows the south ridge to one short Class 3 wall, then a ledge and an easy couloir lead to the top.
The round trip is about 6.5 miles with 3,925 feet of gain. V 4 is close by from the same saddle and is well worth adding. The east ridge to V 2 has been done too and is reported to be no harder than Class 2.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 10:30 a.m.
The 12-foot wall on the narrow south ridge.
Moderate. The trail ends at Island Lake; aim northwest for the saddle.
Creeks in Lower Ice Lake Basin and Island Lake. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
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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
South Mineral Creek
Leave Silverton on US 550 heading north. A little over 2 miles out, turn left (west) on Forest Road 585, the South Mineral Creek road. From Ouray, come south over Red Mountain Pass and look for the same turn on the right before you reach Silverton.
Follow the graded dirt road west about 4.7 miles to South Mineral Campground. The last mile is a bit rougher but most cars can make it. Trail parking is a gravel lot on the right, across from the campground entrance. The lot fills very early on summer weekends, and you can't camp in it.
A higher start is possible on the Clear Lake road, which branches right about 4.2 miles in. It needs 4WD with good clearance. Park at the first switchback (around 10,340 feet), where only a few cars fit. It saves roughly 400 to 500 feet of climbing but almost no distance. The campground is first come, first served, and dispersed camping along Forest Road 585 is allowed only at signed sites.
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
South Mineral 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 →