South Slopes from Noname Creek

Overview

Peak Four is a remote 13er on the north side of Noname Creek in the Weminuche Wilderness. Its summit looks across at the jagged back sides of Animas, Monitor and Peak Thirteen, and east to Jagged Mountain and Peak Ten.

It is a long backpack trip. From the Needleton train stop, you hike north along the Animas River, wade Noname Creek and follow the Noname trail to a camp at about 10,800 feet, about 7 miles in. From camp, a steep, forested bushwhack with small cliff bands leads to tundra, a saddle west of the summit, and boulders to the top. It is Class 2+.

From camp, the climb is about 1.75 miles one way with about 2,600 feet of gain. The full trip is roughly 18 miles and 5,400 feet. Mileage and gain are our estimates. Plan several days so you can climb other Noname peaks too.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

There is no road to these peaks. Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango and get off at the Needleton flag stop. Check the railroad's current schedule and rules, reserve ahead, and know which train will pick you up. Boarding in Silverton for a Needleton drop may not be offered.

At Needleton, cross the Animas River on the footbridge. The cabins by the bridge are private. You can camp past the last cabin to the south toward Needle Creek, or north in the meadows after you cross Pigeon Creek. This is the Weminuche Wilderness; follow its rules.

Peak Four is reached up Noname Creek. From the Needleton footbridge, walk north past the cabins, cross Pigeon Creek and go through the meadow. Near its north end, a faint path angles left (northwest) to a lower meadow and joins the Animas River trail. Don't follow the stronger trail straight ahead.

Cross North Pigeon Creek and keep north near the river. The trail goes over Water Tank Hill, about 200 feet up; the way down the far side is a steep, slippery gully. Beyond, ignore side paths that lead uphill and stay close to the river. Wade Noname Creek, then find a cairned path up a short bank to the start of the Noname trail. Don't head east on the north bank right after the crossing.

The Noname trail climbs more than 1,000 feet in its first mile and stays in the forest, above the creek. Deadfall can block it. There are camps near the old Noname cabin and at the east end of a long meadow at about 10,800 feet, roughly 7 miles from Needleton. The meadow may be marshy; skirt it to the north.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   10,800-foot meadow camp 10,800' · 0 mi

   From camp, go north up open grass between groups of trees. Bear left above the first trees and cross the rocky fan below the third gully.

2. 2

   West of the third gully 11,200' · 0.3 mi

   Climb steep ground west of the gully. Going a bit farther west of it is probably easier.

3. 3

   Forest and cliff bands 11,800' · 0.7 mi

   Zigzag up the steep forest between the second and third drainages, working around small cliff bands. Game trails come and go.

   Watch for: Hard bushwhacking.

4. 4

   Ridge at 12,200 feet 12,200' · 1 mi

   The ridge gets more defined. Stay on its east side, which leads to the saddle west of the summit. The trees thin out.

5. 5

   Saddle 13,000' · 1.4 mi

   Climb about 800 feet on tundra and rock to the saddle.

6. 6

   False summit 13,250' · 1.6 mi

   Pick your way over rocks and boulders, about 200 feet steeply, until it eases. Don't stop at the false summit.

7. 7

   Peak Four 13,415' · 1.75 mi

   Hop rocks a little farther to the true top.

Getting down

Go back down the same way. Take care to find the line between the drainages through the cliff bands.

If things go wrong

Go back down the way you came; the drainages hold cliffs.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

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

• Peak Four South Slopes this routeClass 2+ 22.5 mi