Is it right for you?
This Grizzly Peak stands at the head of Cascade Creek, northwest of Durango Mountain Resort, next to V 10. Its summit has a fine view of the Needles, Grenadiers, La Platas and the Wilson group.
A trail leads past rock glaciers to a lake at timberline. From there you climb grassy slopes to a couloir, then an open scree slope and the south ridge to the blocky top. It is Class 2 on lots of rubble, with a little scrambling near the end. Families with young teens have done it.
The round trip is about 7.2 miles with 2,600 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the couloir by 11 a.m.
The loose couloir, or snow in it early.
Moderate. Find the right couloir from the lake and stay off the rock glaciers.
The creek near the start and the lake. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,753'…—
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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
Durango Ski Mtn. - Cascade Creek
From Durango, drive about 28 miles north on US 550 to the Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory); from Silverton it's about 22 miles south. Turn west on Hermosa Park Road (Forest Road 578). Where it meets a paved resort road, turn sharply right, go a short way, and continue straight onto dirt. The road switchbacks up above the resort. Go right at the next junction, where signs point to a campground, Ebert Creek Road and the Hermosa Creek trail.
About half a mile later, turn right onto the Relay Creek road. Stay left after a quarter mile; 1.5 miles farther, turn right onto the Cascade Divide Road, Forest Road 579. A few miles on it passes a gate, and the last 8 miles beyond are much rougher and slow, with two pairs of switchbacks near the end. High clearance is best; some crossovers with good clearance get there. Plan on well over an hour for the 15-plus miles. Older maps don't show most of the end of this road, so use a current Forest Service map.
The road ends suddenly at about 11,230 feet. You can car-camp there, at the switchbacks just below, or at spots along the drive.
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
Durango Ski Mtn. - Cascade 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 →