South Ridge via Commodore Gulch

Is it right for you?

Telluride Peak sits between Chicago Peak and T 7, just south of Imogene Pass, on the line between Ouray and San Miguel counties. Newer survey data made it a ranked summit. From the top of Imogene Pass it is only a half-mile walk, but that needs a 4WD.

This route starts from a paved lot on US 550 that any car can reach. You climb up Commodore Gulch beside a side stream, past a small pond to the pass by Ptarmigan Lake, then up the gentle south ridge. It is Class 2 on tundra, rock and scree, with moderate routefinding low down.

The round trip is about 5.6 miles with 2,860 feet of gain. Doing all three peaks as a loop (up Telluride Peak, over T 7 and T 8, and down T 8's south side) is about 8.5 miles with 4,000 feet of gain. From the Black Bear Pass side, it can also be linked with Trico Peak and UN 13,509.

Plan of the day

This week on the summit

Getting there

From Ouray, drive south on US 550 for about 12 miles. Just before a very sharp switchback, turn right into a big paved parking loop with a view of the old Idarado Mine; most of the mine sits across the highway. Coming from Silverton, go north over Red Mountain Pass and down a little less than 2 miles; the turnoff comes right after that switchback. Any car can get here. There are no toilets.

The historic mine houses just west of the lot are under restoration and fenced off, so stay out of them. You can park on the switchback just above the overlook (room for a few cars) and walk northwest, keeping the gated area on your left. Or park at the overlook and walk up the highway to the curve to start. Where old road FS 895 leaves the highway, it has long been gated and posted closed, so don't start there.

There's no camping at the lot. Primitive sites are up the Corkscrew Gulch road, along the south side of US 550 past that road, around Ironton Park, and near Red Mountain Pass and the lower Black Bear Pass road.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Idarado Mine overlook 10,650' · 0 mi

   Walk down and northwest toward a few old mine support buildings. From the northern one, turn west and climb a little to meet old road FS 895. Follow it northwest to the creek in Commodore Gulch.

2. 2

   Commodore Gulch creek 10,950' · 0.6 mi

   Don't cross the main creek here. Turn west and follow it upstream on the south bank, through trees, for close to 400 feet of climbing. A side stream joins from the southwest; it is the easier one to cross.

3. 3

   Bench near 11,700 feet 11,700' · 1.3 mi

   Keep climbing above the side stream as it swings from southwest to northwest. Around a flat bench you may find an old trail. Game trails also wind all through the thick tundra.

4. 4

   Small pond 12,480' · 1.8 mi

   The old trail reaches a small pond a bit above 12,480 feet. Keep following it northwest toward Ptarmigan Lake. You won't see the lake until you are above it.

5. 5

   Pass south of Ptarmigan Lake 12,750' · 2.2 mi

   Old mining roads loop around the lake and a smaller pond above it. At the low pass on the lake's south side, go west over easy ground, then contour northwest until you reach Telluride Peak's south ridge. An old mining road also goes in that direction.

   Watch for: Snow patches can linger into early summer.

6. 6

   Telluride Peak 13,514' · 2.8 mi

   Follow the ridge to the top over tundra, buried rock, scree and rubble. Nothing is hard. Views open up toward Telluride and the Black Bear Pass road.

Getting down

Go back the way you came, or continue north over T 7 and T 8 and descend T 8's south gully (see the T 8 page).

If things go wrong

The south ridge leads straight back to Ptarmigan Lake and the old trail.

Last step: check in before you go →

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Telluride Peak we list, with its class.

• Telluride Pk via Commodore Gulch this routeClass 2 5.6 mi

Check in before you go

Send someone your peak, route, trailhead and when you’ll be back. If you’re late, they know where to send help.