Is it right for you?
Cataract Peak sits just north of Tundra Top in the Pole Creek high country south of Lake City. Some lists also call it UN 13,524 A. The easiest way up goes over the top of Tundra Top.
Follow the Colorado Trail west from Carson Pass, climb Tundra Top, and then follow the ridge north to a saddle. From there, game and sheep paths lead to a southwest ridge. About 300 feet of it is steep, very loose, fine scree, and a small band of cliffs sits near the top. That scree makes it Class 2.
The round trip is about 10 miles with 1,900 feet of gain. Without 4WD, the Cataract Gulch trail to Cataract Lake is the other way in. Many people backpack in and add Carson Peak and other nearby summits.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be on Tundra Top by 11 a.m.
About 300 feet of steep, loose scree below the summit ridge.
Easy. Follow the ridge north from Tundra Top, then use game paths to the southwest ridge.
Lost Trail Creek and side streams below the trail. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,541'…—
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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
Carson Pass
From Lake City, head south on Highway 149 and turn right on County Road 3 (BLM 3306, shown as CR 30 on some maps) toward Lake San Cristobal. It's paved past the lake, then turns to good gravel that any car can drive. About 2 miles beyond Williams Creek campground, turn left (south) onto the Wager Gulch road (BLM 3308 or FS 568), signed for the old Carson townsite.
From that turn, plan on 4WD with good clearance. The road climbs through aspen and evergreens, steep in spots, to the Carson ruins. Above Carson it gets rockier and runs through willows for about the last mile to Carson Pass at 12,370 feet. Recent grading has made it easier, but it is still slow, and conditions change. If the top part makes you nervous, park near Carson and walk up.
You'll find Forest Service campgrounds at Mill Creek, Williams Creek and Lake San Cristobal. Wager Gulch has a few level primitive spots; a good one is a meadow on the west side of the road just before the Carson turnoff, near 11,240 feet. Beetles have killed many trees around it, so check above your tent before you pitch it.
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
Carson 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 →