Is it right for you?
UN 13,382 sits at the very head of the Middle Fork of the Cimarron River, in the Uncompahgre Wilderness. With its neighbor UN 13,215, it is one of the two easiest summits in this valley. The saddle between them looks straight at the cliffs of Wetterhorn Peak.
A good trail leads up the valley. From a camp near 11,600 feet you walk south into the upper basin on easy tundra, climb more steeply to the saddle between the two peaks, and follow the ridge to the top. Some rock towers on the ridge are easiest passed on the left. It is Class 2 the whole way.
The round trip is about 12.4 miles with 3,350 feet of gain. Many people make it an overnight trip: camp is about 4.4 miles in, and the peak is about 3.6 miles and 1,800 feet round trip from there. UN 13,215 is an easy add along the ridge to the west.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m. as a day hike, or from camp by 7 a.m.
Be on the saddle by 11 a.m.
Only the distance.
Easy. The peak is in view at the head of the valley.
The Middle Fork and side streams. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,382'…—
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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
Leave US 50 about 2.7 miles east of Cimarron (coming from Montrose) and head south on County Road 858 (Forest Road 858) toward Silverjack Reservoir. From Gunnison, this turn comes up about a mile after the County Road 864 turn. The graded dirt road runs about 22 miles and is fine for cars, though it can be dusty and rough with washboard.
Roughly a mile beyond the reservoir, turn right to cross the creek, then turn left almost at once onto Forest Road 861.1. If you miss that left you end up climbing toward Owl Creek Pass. From Ridgway or the south, you can instead come over Owl Creek Pass (County Road 8, which becomes Forest Road 858, leaving US 550 about 2 miles north of Ridgway) and find the same turn. Follow 861.1 about 4.6 miles to its end. Small stream crossings have washed out parts of this road before, so high clearance is wise.
The trailhead was once a campground. There is a vault toilet and plenty of flat, primitive sites in the trees, plus more near a meadow just up the trail. There are three Forest Service campgrounds north of Silverjack Reservoir and a big primitive area near the 861.1 turn. The 2026 Gold Mountain Fire closed some campgrounds and trailheads on the Cimarron side. Check current Forest Service closures before you go.
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. 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 →