Northwest Ridge from Governor Basin

Overview

T 5 is a ranked summit on the ridge between Governor Basin and the basins above Telluride, east of unranked Mendota Peak. It has great views of the peaks around Yankee Boy Basin and down into Silver, Sydney and Marshall Basins.

You hike or drive the Governor Basin road up to the Virginius Mine, climb rock to a bench above a second mine, and cross loose boulders to the saddle east of Mendota Peak. The ridge toward T 5 looks guarded by spires, but an easy line weaves through to wide, scree-covered ground and the summit. It is Class 2.

From the Governor Basin junction, the round trip is about 7 miles with 2,650 feet of gain. T 5 can also be climbed from the Tomboy trailhead through Middle Basin (about 4 miles and 2,075 feet, Class 2+), but that way starts on an old road that may be gated and marked private and ends in a steep, sandy couloir.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

From Ouray, drive south on US 550 to the top of the first switchback and turn right on the Camp Bird Road (County Road 361). Follow the graded dirt road southwest. About 4.5 miles in, stay right on Forest Road 853.1B; the left fork goes to Imogene Pass. Most cars are fine to here. Keep going across the shelf road, which can be a little rough, to about 6.7 miles, where the Governor Basin road (Forest Road 853.1C) turns off. Park near this junction, at about 10,800 feet, unless you have a strong 4WD. The figures on this page start here.

With a high-clearance 4WD you can drive about 2 miles up the Governor Basin road toward the Virginius Mine ruins. Local jeep clubs rate it 4 to 4.5 out of 5, with very steep, rocky sections. Driving it cuts the hike to about 3 miles round trip and 1,350 feet of gain. Conditions change, so check before you go.

Angel Creek and Thistledown campgrounds are on the lower Camp Bird Road; watch for private land. If you can drive the Governor Basin road, there is a good camp spot at a switchback around 11,360 feet. Car camping near the Governor Basin junction may no longer be allowed.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Governor Basin junction 10,800' · 0 mi

   Hike the Governor Basin road, or drive it if you can. Expect jeeps.

2. 2

   Flat below the Virginius Mine 11,900' · 1.75 mi

   About a quarter mile short of the mine is a level spot to park, next to flower meadows. Marmots like to chew on parked cars here.

3. 3

   Virginius Mine 12,080' · 2 mi

   Follow the road up to the mine, then go south up steep rock.

4. 4

   Bench 12,800' · 2.6 mi

   Reach a bench above a second mine. Cross more rock, or snow early in the season, toward the saddle east of Mendota Peak.

5. 5

   Mendota saddle 13,050' · 3 mi

   The last stretch is a jumble of big, loose rocks.

   Watch for: Loose boulders.

6. 6

   Point 13,337 13,337' · 3.3 mi

   Turn left (east). An easy path winds through the spires and gendarmes to Point 13,337.

7. 7

   Summit 13,437' · 3.5 mi

   Past the point the ridge widens and is covered in small scree. Walk on to the summit.

Getting down

Go back the same way. Unranked Mendota Peak is a short walk west along a narrow but easy ridge, with a huge drop toward Telluride. An old trail also drops north from the saddle and loops back to the road, but early snow can hide it.

If things go wrong

From the Mendota saddle, head straight back down to the Virginius Mine road.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up T 5 we list, with its class.

• Standard route this routeClass 2