Is it right for you?
Coxcomb Peak is the long, cliff-ringed crest above the West Fork of the Cimarron, and one of the few 13ers that needs real climbing. Strong climbers may call it Class 4, but many will find it low Class 5. The hike in, through a valley full of wildflowers, is a treat.
The trail leads to a 12,500-foot pass west of the summit cliffs. From there you either sidehill east or drop about 400 feet into Wetterhorn Basin, then climb the south ridge to the base of the cliffs. A short Class 4 step puts you in a couloir; Class 3 scrambling leads to a chimney (the crux), then onto the summit ridge. A 15-foot cleft splits the ridge before the high point.
The round trip is about 8 miles with 2,900 feet of gain. Redcliff can be added through the saddle east of Coxcomb.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be at the base of the cliffs by 10 a.m.
The chimney and the cleft on the summit ridge.
Moderate. The south ridge leads to the couloir at the west end of the summit cliffs.
The West Fork and side creeks. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,663'…—
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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
West Fork Cimarron
From US 550, take County Road 10 east toward Owl Creek Pass. The turn is 1.8 miles north of the stoplight at Ridgway. Stay on County Road 10 until County Road 8 joins (from Montrose, County Road 8 is a shortcut), then follow County Road 8 past a ranch and over Cow Creek. The road climbs through scrub oak into the national forest, where it is Forest Road 858 and gets rougher, though careful cars can go on. Plan on about 45 minutes to the pass. From US 50, turn south toward Silverjack Reservoir 2.7 miles east of Cimarron, drive the long graded road past the reservoir, turn right to cross the creek, and stay on Forest Road 858 toward the pass.
Less than half a mile east of Owl Creek Pass (about 6.5 miles from the creek crossing if you come from the reservoir, just after a big switchback), turn south on Forest Road 860. It is usually good and has many camp spots. About 1.7 miles in is the Courthouse trailhead. Cars must stop just past it, where parking is limited. From there it adds about 1.4 miles each way and 350 feet of gain.
With 4WD and good clearance, keep going: a steep, rocky climb, then big potholes. After about 0.75 mile the road dips and turns sharply left to ford the West Fork, which can run high early in summer; use good judgment. The road ends about 0.7 mile past the ford; park where you can. Camping is at the meadow west of the pass, on top of the pass, along Forest Road 860 (busy on weekends), and at the Forest Service campgrounds north of Silverjack Reservoir. The 2026 Gold Mountain Fire closed some campgrounds and trailheads on the Cimarron side. Check current Forest Service closures 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
West Fork Cimarron. 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 →