Is it right for you?
Proposal Peak (UN 13,339, once listed as UN 13,330) is an unofficial name for a summit west of the Eureka townsite, northeast of Silverton. It sits above a short, quiet valley full of wildflowers and elk sign.
From the old mine site you walk up the South Fork valley about a mile, then turn right and grind up a very steep grassy slope for about 1,800 feet to the east ridge. The ridge has a rock tower to pass on the south side and a cliff to get around near the top. The descent loops through Slagle Basin. It is Class 2.
The loop is about 6 miles with 2,770 feet of gain. Bonita Peak and unranked Emery Peak connect by ridge to the north.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the east ridge by 11 a.m.
The relentless grass slope, then the rock tower bypass.
Moderate. Turn uphill just past a narrow, deep gully that comes down from high on the slope.
The South Fork of the Animas and side streams. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,339'…—
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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
South Fork Animas River
From Silverton, drive east through town and bear right at the fork one block past the courthouse onto County Road 2 (labeled 110 on some maps). Pavement ends after about 2 miles, and good gravel continues 4.2 miles to Howardsville. Go north another 4.3 miles to the Eureka townsite. Past there the road crosses the Animas River to its west bank and gets rockier as it climbs a shelf. About half a mile past the crossing, turn sharp left up Eureka Gulch on BLM 4508 (County Road 25).
After 1.2 miles, take a road branching left. This spur contours 0.7 mile, lower than the main gulch road, and fords Eureka Creek a little above the point where it joins the South Fork of the Animas. A few yards past the crossing it ends at an old mine site, where a trail heads southwest up the valley. A high-clearance vehicle is best. Maps call this the Boulder Gulch trailhead; it is not the Boulder Gulch near Silverton.
There are no Forest Service campgrounds up here, and summer weekends are crowded. There's a lot of private land, so watch for signs. Popular open camping areas are near Howardsville across from the Maggie Gulch road, and at Eureka on the east side of the river, which is now a pay campground. Bring everything you need. There may be primitive spots on the spur road and at the mine site, but the mine site could now be posted No Trespassing; if so, camp elsewhere.
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
South Fork Animas 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 →