Is it right for you?
S 4 is a rough, rocky summit west of the Blue Lakes, in the northern Sneffels Range. The hike in passes through some of the best wildflower country in the area, with Dallas Peak and Mount Sneffels close by.
You hike the Blue Lakes Trail to the lower lake, then follow the creek from the basin south of S 4 up through forest, meadows and a rocky narrows to a flat, wet meadow. A yellow-orange talus fan and couloir lead about 600 feet to the west ridge, and a short scramble on the ridge leads to the top. It is Class 3.
The round trip is about 10.4 miles with 3,895 feet of gain. The lower lake also makes a good short backpack, though it is popular.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be at the flat meadow below the couloir by 10:30 a.m.
The loose orange couloir.
Moderate. From the flat meadow, the orange couloir is straight north and easy to spot.
The lower lake and the creek above it. 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
Blue Lakes TH - Mt. Sneffels
In Ridgway, start at the junction of US 550 and CO 62. Drive west on CO 62 over the Uncompahgre River and through town, then up the hill. About 5.5 miles from the junction, turn left (south) on County Road 7.
Drive about 9 miles on County Road 7 along the East Fork of Dallas Creek to the trailhead. It is graded gravel that most cars can handle, with a few rough spots to take slowly. About 2.3 miles in, the road splits; stay right on County Road 7, not 7A. Most of the land along the way is private.
The trailhead is busy on summer weekends. There are no set campsites, but people car camp along the road near the trailhead, and an open meadow on the right (west) shortly before the trailhead has room for several primitive sites. There is no Forest Service campground 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
Blue Lakes TH - Mt. Sneffels. 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 →