Is it right for you?
Leviathan Peak is a fine Class 2+ climb deep inside the Weminuche Wilderness, built of quartzite and offering the best view anywhere of Jagged Mountain. Getting there takes a long, multi-day backpack. The camp is about 11 miles from the trailhead. You cross Hunchback Pass, walk down the Vallecito Trail past Nebo Creek, Trinity Creek and Rock Creek (a long wade), then ford Vallecito Creek below its meeting with Sunlight Creek. That ford can be knee to thigh deep and swift, and is dangerous before runoff drops in mid-July. On the far side, wade to the north side of Sunlight Creek and, within about five minutes, turn left onto the cairned Sunlight trail; the main path goes on toward Leviathan Creek. This unmaintained trail climbs about 2,500 hard feet, crosses the creek again near 10,800 feet, and is easy to lose. The last sheltering trees, at about 11,550 feet, make the base camp; Sunlight Lake is about 0.6 mile beyond.
From camp a side trail leads north to the stream draining the basin between Jagged and Leviathan. You climb to a small crescent lake at 12,700 feet, then to the saddle on the southwest ridge, and follow the ridge northeast around a big crag to the top. The ridge rock is mostly stable, with some Class 2+ or easy Class 3 moves on quartzite.
From camp it is about 3.5 miles round trip with 2,000 feet of gain. The approach alone is about 22.2 miles round trip with 6,225 feet of gain. The total from the trailhead is about 25.7 miles with 8,225 feet. Vallecito Mountain is often added from the summit.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m. from camp
Be at the ridge saddle by 11 a.m.
Quartzite moves around the crag on the ridge.
Easy once you find the side trail off the Sunlight Lake trail.
Sunlight Creek at camp and streams in the basin. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,534'…—
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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
Hunchback Pass
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.
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.
This is the start of a multi-day backpack. Park so you don't block the road; space is tight.
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
Hunchback 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 →