Is it right for you?
UN 13,575 is the summit just west of Wilson Peak, at the head of Silver Pick Basin. It's usually paired with Fowler Peak, its harder neighbor to the west.
You follow the Rock of Ages trail out of Elk Creek into Silver Pick Basin and up to the Rock of Ages saddle, then walk a short ridge of chip rock and talus to the top. It is Class 2 and mostly rocky.
The full circuit, going on over Fowler Peak (Class 4) and down into Elk Creek, is about 12 miles with 3,500 feet of gain. Going back the way you came from UN 13,575 alone is a shorter, all Class 2 option.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
Loose boulders below the saddle.
Easy on the trail. Stay on the official route through Silver Pick Basin.
None reliable above the trees. Carry what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,575'…—
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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
Rock of Ages
Between Placerville and Telluride, about 6.5 miles south of the Colorado 62 junction at Placerville, turn south off Colorado 145 onto the Silver Pick road (County Road 60M), a graded dirt road. The trailhead is about 6.8 miles from here. At about 3.1 miles, pass an intersection and stay on the main road. In 0.7 mile more, turn right onto Forest Road 622. Passenger cars shouldn't go past this turn, and don't follow the private driveway farther right.
Climb Forest Road 622 about 2.2 miles to where the Wilson Mesa trail meets the road, then turn right 0.1 mile later onto Forest Road 645. It fords Big Bear Creek and curls around the ridge between Silver Pick Basin and Elk Creek to the large Rock of Ages lot at about 10,370 feet. High clearance is needed; SUVs and higher crossovers do fine.
There are plenty of primitive sites along Forest Roads 622 and 645, and you can car-camp at the trailhead. A few more spots sit near the San Miguel River just off Colorado 145.
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
Rock of Ages. 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 →