San Juan Range · Colorado 13er · No. 374 of the 13ers
West Ridge via Deep Creek
S 8, 13,268'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip14.8 mi
Elevation gain4,500'
TrailheadSheep Ck-Deep Ck
Trailhead elevation9,100'
Conditions on the summit
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—Summit temp now
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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.
Colorado 13er · West Ridge via Deep Creek
Overview
S 8 is a summit on the west end of the ridge north of Telluride, above the main fork of Deep Creek. The upper basin feels isolated, and the summit has great views of the cliffs to the east and the Wilson group.
A long trail walk follows ditches and the Deep Creek trail north into the upper valley; parts of the trail are faint and marked by cairns, and avalanches since the notes were written may have changed it. From where the trees end, you climb a grassy slope and a small cliff band onto the west ridge, then steep, loose rock to the top. It is Class 2.
The round trip is about 14.8 miles. The gain is about 4,500 feet, with some ups and downs along the trail. S 9 can be added by the ridge to the north. Mileage and gain are our estimates.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be at the end of the trees by 10 a.m.
Crux
Steep, loose rock on the upper west ridge.
Route-finding
Moderate. Several trails cross near Sheep Creek and the upper Deep Creek trail is faint; follow cairns.
From Society Turn on CO 145, about 4 miles west of Telluride, go just a little east and turn left (north) on the Airport Road. Maps call this the Last Dollar Road (638).
Climb the road and round a sharp bend at the head of a drainage, then pass the Aldasoro Ranch entrance. Stay right where the road to the Telluride airport turns off. In less than a mile more, the trailhead lot with a small corral is on the right. A passenger car can get here.
There is private land across from the parking, and camping at the trailhead is not allowed. Campsites are scarce near Telluride. Try the town park at the east end of Telluride or Sunshine Campground south of Society Turn, or look for dispersed spots west on CO 145 near the Silver Pick Road, or south on County Road 63L/63J past Ilium.
Trail in the treesRidgeTalus and screeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Sheep Ck-Deep Ck trailhead 9,100' · 0 mi
Switchback up the open slope to an old irrigation ditch and follow it north to Sheep Creek (a small stream). This is Trail 418.
2
Whipple trail turnoff 9,250' · 1.2 mi
Past Sheep Creek the trail goes west along the ditch to a signed turn for the Whipple trail. Take it downhill along a ridge covered in Gambel oak, then contour north and drop to a log bridge over the east fork of Deep Creek.
3
Private land sign 9,300' · 2.3 mi
Climb a little, head west, then descend an old road to a sign for private property. Here the trail leaves the road and heads north-northwest, high on the east side of the main fork. Stay on the trail.
4
Trail 418/419 junction 9,800' · 3.5 mi
Pass a worn wilderness sign, cross the main fork to the west side, and climb through a meadow and up an aspen slope to a sloping meadow with a junction sign. Go straight ahead into the forest.
5
Second creek crossing 10,300' · 4.5 mi
Cross a small creek, then climb a steep hill on the most-used path (shortcuts branch right). The trail switchbacks back toward Deep Creek, contours above it, and drops to cross it in an open, flood-damaged spot.
6
End of the trees 11,300' · 5.8 mi
Head north on the east side following cairns, across small streams, through forest and an aspen glade, to a meadow with big cairns. Climb steeply into thick forest well above the creek; the trail is faint here. Come out and cross the side creek from the east at a cairn.
Watch for: Keep away from the steep bank down to the creek.
7
West ridge 12,400' · 6.6 mi
Climb the grassy slope ahead, through a small rocky cliff band, then up much steeper ground to the west ridge.
8
Summit 13,268' · 7.4 mi
Follow the ridge up. Grass gives way to small, loose rock, and it stays steep nearly to the top.
Watch for: Hard footing on sliding rock.
Getting down
Return the same way, or follow the ridge north to S 9 (see that page). Coming straight down from the basin between S 8 and S 9 means more than 1,000 feet of very loose scree.
If things go wrong
Drop back to the side creek and the trail.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
The Deep Creek trail fades into game and sheep trails, and the ridge itself is trailless. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
Other routes
Every way up S 8 we list, with its class.
S.8 West Ridge via Deep Creekthis routeClass 2 14.8 mi
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.