Is it right for you?
The Heisshorn (UN 13,418) is a remote, jagged summit where the Middle Fork of the Cimarron begins, between Coxcomb Peak and Wetterhorn. Some people rank it among the hardest 13ers. It makes a fine overnight backpack, camping near 11,600 feet about 4.4 miles up the trail.
A long trail walk leads to tundra below the north ridge. Above 13,000 feet the ridge becomes a pile of loose rock: a rubble ramp on the south side, a narrow catwalk, a traverse below small cliffs on the north side, and two short rock walls with loose rubble above. It is Class 4 with severe exposure.
The round trip is about 11.6 miles with 3,381 feet of gain. From the base camp it's about 2.8 miles and 1,831 feet round trip. El Punto, north of the pass, pairs well with it, and UN 13,382 and UN 13,215 are also close.
Plan of the day
From camp by 6 a.m.
Be on the 13,000-foot flat by 9:30 a.m.
The last 200 feet: two short walls and loose, stacked rubble.
Moderate. Mapping and satellite images of this peak are known to be off, so trust what you see.
The Middle Fork and side streams. Cattle use the lower valley, so filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,418'…—
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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
Middle Fork of the Cimarron River
From Montrose, drive east on US 50 about 2.7 miles past Cimarron. From Gunnison, drive west on US 50 past Blue Mesa Reservoir and over the 8,700-foot pass; the turn is about a mile past the County Road 864 turnoff. Turn south on Forest Road 858 toward Silverjack Reservoir. It's about 22 miles of graded dirt that cars can drive, but expect dust and washboard. From Ridgway, you can instead take County Road 8 (also Forest Road 858) east from US 550, about 2 miles north of town, over Owl Creek Pass.
About a mile past Silverjack Reservoir, turn right across the creek and then left almost at once onto Forest Road 861.1. (If you start climbing toward Owl Creek Pass, you missed it.) Follow 861.1 for 4.6 miles to the road's end and the Middle Fork of the Cimarron trailhead. Small streams have washed across this road in places, so high clearance is best, and conditions change.
The trailhead was once a campground. The tables are gone, but there are many flat primitive spots in the trees and a vault toilet. There are three Forest Service campgrounds just north of Silverjack Reservoir, and a big primitive area where 861.1 leaves the main road.
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
Middle Fork of the Cimarron River. 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 →