Northeast Ridge over White Dome

Is it right for you?

Peak One is the next summit southwest of White Dome on the ridge above Eldorado Lake. With 4WD access to Kite Lake, the two together make a good half day, and they are part of the longer four-peak loop with Peaks Three and Two.

Climb White Dome first (see that page), then follow the connecting ridge west and south over Point 13,401 to Peak One. The rock is mostly medium-size and stable. It is Class 2+ at most.

The round trip with White Dome is about 5.6 miles with 2,500 feet of gain. White Dome, Peak One, Peak Three and Peak Two make one long loop from Kite Lake: about 8.6 miles and 5,700 feet in all.

Plan of the day

This week on the summit

Getting there

This trailhead needs a high-clearance 4WD, and plan on as much as 2.5 hours of driving from Silverton. From the northeast end of Silverton, take County Road 2 up the Animas about 4.2 miles to Howardsville. Turn right up Cunningham Gulch, then take the left fork onto the Stony Pass road. It climbs steeply over the pass and down the far side. You will ford Pole Creek, then turn right at a fork and ford the Rio Grande. Both fords are harder early in the summer. Then follow the Beartown road about 4 slow, rough miles past the old Beartown site and up a rocky, rutted stretch. The Hunchback Pass trailhead is about half a mile below Kite Lake, at roughly 11,800 feet, with limited parking.

For the Kite Lake peaks, drive or walk the last half mile of road above the trailhead to Kite Lake, at about 12,100 feet. That final piece is the roughest part of the whole road. You can also reach this area from Creede or Lake City by driving to Rio Grande Reservoir, but the road west of the reservoir has very rough sections. There is some camping near the trailhead and near the old Beartown site.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Kite Lake 12,100' · 0 mi

   Take the trail that heads east from the lake up to the pass that leads over to Eldorado Lake.

2. 2

   Pass above Eldorado Lake 12,850' · 0.6 mi

   Don't drop down to Eldorado Lake. Turn south and follow the crest of the ridge on a path that soon fades.

3. 3

   Bench above Eldorado Lake 12,650' · 1.2 mi

   Turn west and traverse beneath White Dome's north face on a bench that stays roughly 100 to 200 feet higher than the lake. Expect a few rocky stretches, and snow early in summer.

   Watch for: Early-season snow on the traverse.

4. 4

   White Dome 13,628' · 2 mi

   The ridge tops out a bit west of the high point; walk over to it. Look down on Eldorado Lake and its unusual color. Plan on less than two hours from Kite Lake.

5. 5

   Saddle west of White Dome 13,250' · 2.3 mi

   Go down the ridge to the west, mostly on rock. If small obstacles block the crest, drop onto the north side. Reach the saddle between Point 13,453 (northwest) and Point 13,401 (south).

6. 6

   Point 13,401 13,401' · 2.5 mi

   Head south. You can try to slip around this point, but it's simpler to go straight over it and on to a small saddle beyond.

7. 7

   Peak One 13,599' · 2.9 mi

   Climb gradually along the ridge on medium-size broken rock. The slope is moderate and footing is good. Expect under an hour from White Dome. Storm King, Silex and The Guardian fill the view to the south.

Getting down

Go back north along the ridge to the saddle west of White Dome. From there, head north down the rocky bowl toward the lake at 12,540 feet and follow the White Dome descent to Eldorado Lake and back over the pass to Kite Lake.

If things go wrong

The saddle west of White Dome leads straight down the bowl toward Eldorado Lake.

Last step: check in before you go →

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Peak One we list, with its class.

• Peak One Northeast Ridge this routeClass 2+ 5.6 mi

Check in before you go

Send someone your peak, route, trailhead and when you’ll be back. If you’re late, they know where to send help.