Is it right for you?
Silver Mountain is deep in the Uncompahgre Wilderness, north of Uncompahgre Peak. No road comes close, so it is a long day, but most of it is on trail over wide, scenic tundra.
From the Nellie Creek trailhead you cross a 12,380-foot pass, drop about 1,000 feet to Big Blue Creek, then climb the Fall Creek Trail into a big open bowl. You leave the trail for a saddle south of the summit and walk a mostly tundra ridge to the top. It is Class 2.
The round trip is about 11.6 miles with 4,250 feet of gain, including the climb back over the pass. You can also stay on the Fall Creek Trail to a 12,700-foot pass east of the peak and follow the east ridge. UN 13,684 is a good add while you are out here.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be on the south saddle by 11 a.m.
The 1,000-foot climb back to the pass on the way out.
Easy. Two trail junctions, then follow the minor drainage to the saddle.
Big Blue Creek and side streams. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,713'…—
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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
Nellie Creek
From Lake City, turn west on Second Street, then left after about a block onto Bluff Street. This becomes the Henson Creek road (part of the Alpine Loop). Drive about 5 miles west to the Nellie Creek road on the right, Forest Road 877. Cars without high clearance and 4WD should park here along Henson Creek and walk the road.
The Nellie Creek road climbs 4 miles to the trailhead at 11,400 feet. It is narrow, steep and rocky, with little room to pass. You cross Nellie Creek at about 1.8 miles, keep left at a fork at about 2.3 miles, and cross the creek again at about 2.7 miles. In early summer the creek crossings can run high and fast. Parking at the top is limited, so arrive early. The route enters the Uncompahgre Wilderness, which has its own rules on group size, camping, fires and dogs; check with the Forest Service before you go.
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
Nellie 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 →