Is it right for you?
Animas Forks Mountain is the last summit on a loop of peaks northwest of Cinnamon Pass. It was once listed as UN 13,722 B.
Climb Wood Mountain, follow the ridge west to UN 13,708, then take the narrow connecting ridge south to the top. Cliffs drop away on both sides and the ridge gets close to catwalk width, but the rock is solid and it stays Class 2. The last 200 feet is steeper, sandy rock. You come down the east ridge and walk tundra back to the pass.
The loop is about 6.5 miles with 2,250 feet of gain when you include the Class 3 side trip to UN 13,702. Without that side trip it is shorter, stays Class 2, and is a good hike for older kids.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on UN 13,708 by 11 a.m.
The narrow ridge to the summit.
Easy. Stay on the ridge crest.
Little water high up. Bring what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,740'…—
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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
Cinnamon Pass
From Lake City, go south on Colorado 149 and turn right toward Lake San Cristobal. Follow County Road 30 around the lake. Two campgrounds, Williams Creek and then Mill Creek, come before the fork at Sherman. A normal car is fine to here. Go right; higher clearance is now wise. You pass the Grizzly Gulch / Silver Creek trailhead in a bit over 3 miles and the Cooper Creek trailhead about a mile later. After the American Basin turnoff the road gets steeper and rougher. Park at the top of Cinnamon Pass or in a pullout close by.
From Silverton, head east and keep right on County Road 2 where the paved road splits just past the courthouse. It's 4.2 miles to Howardsville, 4.3 more to the old Eureka site, 3.5 more to the Burns and Grouse Gulch turnoff, and 1.1 more to the signed Cinnamon Pass road on the right. Stay on the Engineer Pass road here; don't drift left up California Gulch.
Cinnamon Pass needs 4WD with good clearance from either side, and road conditions change, so check before you go. Without it, expect a lot of extra walking. The pass has no trees, but you could sleep in a vehicle or small tent there. Campgrounds and primitive spots are lower on the Lake City side. Private land is common all through this area.
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
Cinnamon Pass. 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 →