Overview
Gudy Peak rises above Cooper Lake at the head of Cooper Creek, with good views of the central San Juans. On its own it's a fairly easy day hike, and it can also be linked with three other 13ers using a car shuttle.
Trail 3313 follows Cooper Creek, and a side trail leads to Cooper Lake below the peak. From the lake you can climb either the northeast ridge or the south ridge. Both start steep on tundra and talus, then ease off on the crest, with rocks and boulders mixed with tundra. It is Class 2+.
The round trip is about 6.5 miles with 3,000 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at Cooper Lake by 10:30 a.m.
The steep climb from the lake up to either ridge.
Moderate. The trail crosses the creek twice; take the Cooper Lake trail on the west side.
Cooper Creek. Sheep graze here, so filter or treat all water.
Getting to the trailhead
Cooper Creek
From Lake City, drive south on Colorado 149 a little over 2 miles and turn right toward Lake San Cristobal. Go around the west side of the lake on County Road 3 (shown as County Road 30 on some maps), past Williams Creek and Mill Creek campgrounds (Mill Creek is 13.2 miles from town), to the fork at Sherman, 1.2 miles farther. Cars can make it this far.
Keep right on the Cinnamon Pass road, part of the Alpine Loop. It climbs more steeply, and a higher-clearance vehicle is wise. After a little over 4 miles you reach the Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch trailhead for Redcloud, Sunshine and Handies, about 18.5 miles and close to an hour from Lake City. Continue west just under a mile to a small pullout on the road's south side. The Cooper Creek trail begins on the opposite side and was last reported as signed.
Williams Creek and Mill Creek are Forest Service campgrounds. There are also primitive sites around Sherman, at the Silver Creek trailhead and near the Cooper Creek trailhead. Road conditions change, so check 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
Cooper 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 →