Is it right for you?
Fools Pyramid is the gentler neighbor just northeast of Rio Grande Pyramid in the Weminuche Wilderness, above Weminuche Pass. Newer survey data added 12 feet to its height. It's usually done in one long day from a base camp along with Rio Grande Pyramid and UN 13,274.
Most people backpack in on the Weminuche Creek trail (Trail 818), a fairly easy hike of about 5.1 miles and 1,325 feet of gain, and camp just north of Weminuche Pass at about 10,650 feet, near a side stream coming in from the west. Many of the trees there are now dead, but good flat sites remain. This is wild country; bears have been seen near camp, so store food well. From camp, the Skyline Trail leads to Rio Grande Pyramid. Back at the saddle below the Pyramid, a steep but easy tundra ridge climbs northeast to Fools Pyramid. That last part is Class 1 and takes about 20 minutes; Rio Grande Pyramid itself is a rocky Class 2.
From the trailhead, the whole trip is about 21 miles with about 5,720 feet of gain. From the camp, Rio Grande Pyramid and Fools Pyramid together are about 10.8 miles and 4,395 feet. It's about 1.25 miles and 635 feet from the top of Rio Grande Pyramid.
Plan of the day
Leave camp by 6 a.m.
Be on Rio Grande Pyramid by 11 a.m.
The loose boulders on Rio Grande Pyramid.
Moderate. The Skyline Trail can be faint and brushy.
The side stream next to the Weminuche Pass camp. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
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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
Thirtymile Campground
From Highway 149, turn west onto Forest Road 520. The turn is about 20.5 miles west of Creede, or about 32 miles south of Lake City over Slumgullion and Spring Creek passes. The road starts paved, then becomes graded dirt. Stay on the main road toward Rio Grande Reservoir; most junctions are signed. Thirtymile Campground is about 10.8 miles from the highway.
The road is fine for passenger cars. Drive south across the river on a bridge into the campground. Hiker parking is on the north side of the campground road. Walk south across the campground loop to the trailhead for the Weminuche Creek trail, which shares a start with the Squaw Creek trail. Thirtymile and nearby River Hill are fee campgrounds that can be reserved.
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
Thirtymile Campground. 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 →