Is it right for you?
UN 13,549 sits south of Cinnamon Pass, on the ridge that wraps around American Basin. It was once listed as UN 13,535. Starting from the pass, it is one of the shortest 13er hikes around.
You follow a good trail south from the pass, then leave it to climb rocky talus to Point 13,060 and walk an easy ridge over Point 13,512 to the top. It is Class 2, mostly tundra, with some broken boulders near the summit. The view takes in American Basin and Handies Peak.
The round trip is about 3 miles with 1,100 feet of gain and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Cinnamon Mountain adds about 350 feet of gain and close to a mile.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be on top by noon.
The steep talus up to Point 13,060.
Easy. Follow the ridge.
None. Carry what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,549'…—
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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
Cinnamon Pass
You need a 4WD with high clearance to reach Cinnamon Pass. From Lake City, take Colorado 149 south and turn right toward Lake San Cristobal. Go around the lake and follow County Road 30 south to Sherman, passing two campgrounds on the way; cars can get this far. Take the right fork and climb past the Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch and Cooper Creek trailheads. Above the American Basin turnoff the road gets steeper and rougher. Park in the large lot just west of the pass.
From Silverton, take County Road 2 up the Animas River past Howardsville and Eureka; above Eureka the road gets worse and 4WD is advised. At Animas Forks turn right onto the Cinnamon Pass road. It has ranged from easy to rough over the years, so be ready for either. A third way starts about 3 miles south of Ouray on US 550 and follows the very rocky, slow County Road 18 to the Engineer Pass road above Animas Forks.
Lake City side: the Williams Creek and Mill Creek Forest Service campgrounds, plus primitive sites near Sherman and the higher trailheads (watch for private land). Silverton side: many primitive sites along the Animas River up to Animas Forks.
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
Cinnamon Pass. 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 →