Southwest and East Ridges over UN 13,403

Overview

UN 13,544 is the second summit on the ridge that runs northeast from Cinnamon Pass, looking down on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. It was once listed as UN 13,540 B.

You go over UN 13,403 first, then follow the high ridge east over several small bumps to the top. The tundra gives way to rock near the summit. It is Class 2+ with short sections of moderate exposure, best for adults and experienced teens.

The round trip is about 6.8 miles. The 1,650 feet of gain is the climbing on the way out (about 3.4 miles); coming back over UN 13,403 adds more. With a second car at the Cooper Creek trailhead, you can traverse UN 13,403, UN 13,544, C.T. Peak and Gudy Peak and walk down to Cooper Creek, about 8.5 miles and 3,050 feet in all, with one short Class 3 stretch past UN 13,544.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

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.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Cinnamon Pass 12,640' · 0 mi

   From the parking near the top, walk north-northeast across tundra toward Point 13,112.

2. 2

   Below Point 13,112 12,950' · 0.6 mi

   Contour around the point just under 13,000 feet.

3. 3

   Head of Cleveland Gulch 12,950' · 1.1 mi

   Rocky gullies show up soon after you round the point. Stay high, above where they start, and cross the top of the gulch on rubble, talus and tundra.

4. 4

   Old mining road 13,050' · 1.7 mi

   Traverse the south slopes below UN 13,250 and pick up an old mining road.

5. 5

   Saddle 13,150' · 2 mi

   The road reaches the saddle between UN 13,250 and UN 13,403.

6. 6

   UN 13,403 13,403' · 2.25 mi

   Walk east, mostly on tundra, to the top.

7. 7

   Next saddle 13,150' · 2.4 mi

   Follow the crest east down steep tundra to a saddle that comes quickly.

8. 8

   Minor summits 13,400' · 3 mi

   Go east and northeast along the crest over at least three small bumps. The tundra turns to rock.

   Watch for: Watch your footing on the rocky ridge.

9. 9

   UN 13,544 13,544' · 3.4 mi

   From a last saddle, climb nearly 200 feet to the summit, high above the Lake Fork of the Gunnison.

Getting down

Return over UN 13,403, or continue east to C.T. Peak.

If things go wrong

Head back west along the ridge to UN 13,403 and the pass.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up UN 13,544 (near Whitecross Mountain) we list, with its class.

• UN13,544 SW & East Ridges this routeClass 2+ 6.8 mi