Is it right for you?
Darley Mountain is a small, pointed summit just north of Engineer Pass. Newer survey data raised it 15 feet.
Leave the American Flats trail, climb a tundra slope northwest to a saddle south of the summit, and walk the ridge north. Pass under the rocky top on its left on a use trail and scramble up from the north side. It is easy Class 2, and the climb takes less than an hour.
The round trip is about 1.4 miles with 720 feet of gain. It's often linked with UN 13,140 and Cow Benchmark to the north for a longer day.
Plan of the day
By 9 a.m.
Be on top by noon.
A short scramble at the summit.
Easy. Aim for the saddle south of the summit.
None on the route. Bring what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,275'…—
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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
American Flats
From Lake City, take 2nd or 3rd Street west two blocks to Bluff Street, turn left, and follow County Road 20 west along Henson Creek. It's 9.1 miles of graded gravel to Capitol City, fine for cars; you pass the Nellie Creek road at 5.2 miles. At Capitol City, keep left on the Alpine Loop road toward Engineer Pass.
Drive west past the Rose Cabin site. A vault toilet sits about 1,500 feet before it on the south side of the road. From the toilet it's about 3.6 more miles to the trailhead, just a pullout above treeline where a trail heads north across American Flats. If you pass a log cabin on an overlook with a footbridge, you still have about 1.75 miles to go. Park well off the road; 4WD and ATV traffic is heavy. 4WD is strongly advised from this side.
From Silverton, follow County Road 2 through Howardsville and past Eureka, then follow signs for Engineer Pass. This side requires 4WD. The trailhead is about 1,600 feet east of the top of the pass. Conditions change, so check before you go. There are primitive campsites along County Road 20 but no national forest campgrounds; watch for private claims and cabins.
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
American Flats. 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 →