Overview
Sheep Mountain (also called Sheep Mountain A) sits east of Stony Pass, above Silverton and Howardsville. It is a short Class 2 hike across wide, high tundra with long views and lots of wildflowers in midsummer. It pairs well with Greenhalgh Mountain.
From a parking spot on the east side of the pass you cross a marshy creek, walk east over tundra and up a grassy gully to the north ridge, and follow it to a big, flat area. The true summit is a little farther east along a narrower, rocky ridge. There are no serious obstacles.
The round trip is about 2.8 miles with 1,175 feet of gain from the parking spot about a mile east of the pass. Starting from the top of the pass adds about 2 miles round trip. Mileage and gain are our estimates.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be on the summit by noon.
Narrow, rocky ridge east of the flat area.
Easy. Swing north into the grassy gully to avoid rock.
The creek near the start. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Stony Pass Road
Stony Pass needs a high-clearance vehicle, and 4WD is strongly recommended; road conditions change from year to year, so check before you go. From the northeast end of Silverton, take County Road 2 up the Animas River about 4.2 miles to Howardsville. Turn right up Cunningham Gulch, then take the left fork onto the Stony Pass road, which climbs steeply to the top of the pass at about 12,590 feet.
Park near the top of the pass. There is room to camp nearby, and in July the wildflowers around the pass, especially on the north side, are excellent.
For Sheep and Greenhalgh Mountains you can save about 2 miles round trip by driving a little more than a mile down the east side of the pass to a short spur road on the left (east). Park there. In summer a sheepherder may camp at this spot, with a large flock grazing nearby.
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
Stony Pass Road. 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 →