Is it right for you?
Canby Mountain rises just north of Stony Pass, east of Silverton. Since you start at 12,590 feet, it is a short, easy hike on Class 1 and 2 ground. It looks more dramatic from the road than it is. The summit view south to the Grenadier Range is excellent.
A path leaves the north side of the road at the pass, climbs a tundra slope and runs north along a bench, then crosses some talus to reach the northwest ridge at about 13,080 feet. Turn south-southeast and follow the ridge to the top. Lower down it is tundra; higher it is small talus and rubble, and the ridge narrows with a steep drop on the north side, but it is not very exposed. It is Class 2.
The round trip is about 4 miles with 900 feet of gain. Galena Mountain, Stony Pass Peak (UN 13,165) south of the road, and Sheep and Greenhalgh Mountains to the east-southeast can all be added for a longer day.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be on the summit by noon.
The narrow upper ridge.
Easy. Take the climber's path, not the Divide Trail.
None on the route. Carry what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,487'…—
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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
Stony Pass
Stony Pass needs a high-clearance vehicle, and 4WD is strongly recommended; road conditions change from year to year, so check before you go. From the northeast end of Silverton, take County Road 2 up the Animas River about 4.2 miles to Howardsville. Turn right up Cunningham Gulch, then take the left fork onto the Stony Pass road, which climbs steeply to the top of the pass at about 12,590 feet.
Park near the top of the pass. There is room to camp nearby, and in July the wildflowers around the pass, especially on the north side, are excellent.
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
Stony 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 →