Is it right for you?
UN 13,318 is one of three easy summits along Ute Ridge, above the old Beartown site at the head of the Rio Grande. The hard part is the long 4WD drive; the climb itself is short.
An old trail climbs through forest to Indian Ridge, then runs south along the peak's east side to the saddle with UN 13,351. From there you walk west up the east ridge onto large rock blocks. It is Class 2, and a fit party can reach the top in about two hours.
The round trip is about 5 miles with 1,900 feet of gain. UN 13,351 is 0.8 mile and 640 feet away across the saddle, and Ute Ridge is beyond it, so all three make a good day.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
Big rock blocks on the east ridge.
Easy. Stay on the trail to the saddle.
Bear Creek near the start. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,318'…—
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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
Beartown (Bear Town Trail)
This trip needs a high-clearance 4WD, and the drive from Silverton can take over two hours. From the northeast end of Silverton, take County Road 2 about 4.2 miles to Howardsville, turn right up Cunningham Gulch, and take the left fork onto the Stony Pass road. Over the pass, the road drops down the valley to a ford of Pole Creek. In under a mile, turn right (west) at a fork and ford the Rio Grande. Both fords run higher early in summer.
Follow the Beartown road about 4 slow, pothole-filled miles past the old Beartown site to where it crosses Bear Creek. There's good camping near this crossing. Less than 0.3 mile farther, a jeep track (the Bear Town Trail, Forest Road 869) branches left and drops to cross a smaller fork of Bear Creek. Park along that track. You can also come in from Creede or Lake City by way of Rio Grande Reservoir, but the road west of the reservoir has rough stretches.
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
Beartown (Bear Town Trail). 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 →