West Ridge from Sheep Mountain

Overview

Greenhalgh Mountain rises east of Sheep Mountain in the high tundra country east of Stony Pass. On its own it is a Class 2 hike from the Stony Pass road; linked with Sheep it is Class 2+ because of one short, steep, loose section.

From Sheep's summit you follow the narrow ridge east, then east-northeast. Where it starts to drop toward the saddle, a steep rocky stretch pushes you south onto loose rock until you can contour back to the crest. Past that it is pleasant tundra and scattered boulders to the top. Expect to see sheep in summer and maybe elk.

The loop over Sheep and Greenhalgh is about 4.7 miles with 2,015 feet of gain from the parking spot about a mile east of the pass. From Sheep's summit it is about 1 mile and 400 feet one way. Starting from the top of the pass adds about 2 miles round trip.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

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.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Spur road parking 12,130' · 0 mi

   From the parking spot east of the pass, head east downhill and cross the small creek that comes in from the northeast. The ground is boggy here, even in fall, so expect wet boots in summer.

   Watch for: Marshy ground.

2. 2

   Tundra gully 12,500' · 0.5 mi

   Walk east over thick tundra and grass toward Sheep's north ridge. To avoid the rockier ground straight ahead, bend a little north into a small gully that stays grassy. Sheep paths are everywhere.

3. 3

   North ridge 13,000' · 0.95 mi

   Reach the ridge about 300 feet below the top.

4. 4

   Flat summit area 13,300' · 1.2 mi

   Climb to a big, flat area of small scree and talus. It is a good lunch spot, but not the official summit.

5. 5

   Summit 13,304' · 1.4 mi

   Keep going east as the ridge narrows, with rocky ribs and talus slopes falling away on both sides. It is slower here but has no real obstacles. There may be no cairn on the high point.

6. 6

   Sheep–Greenhalgh saddle 12,830' · 1.85 mi

   Follow the narrow ridge east, then east-northeast. Where it begins to drop, a short, steep, rocky step forces you south down loose ground; once past the talus, contour back to the ridge.

   Watch for: Class 2+ loose rock.

7. 7

   Summit 13,228' · 2.4 mi

   Back on the ridge it is easy tundra and boulders to the top.

Getting down

Go back to the saddle and drop northwest into a big basin with a rock glacier below Sheep's north face. Go low and north to skirt most of it, find an easy way through its lower end, then climb tundra and rock to the saddle north of Sheep at about 12,800 feet. Walk west and west-southwest down tundra to your earlier route, and recross the creek and marshy ground to the car.

If things go wrong

The saddle has a way down into the basin north of Sheep.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Greenhalgh Mountain we list, with its class.

• Greenhalgh Mtn West Ridge this routeClass 2+ 4.7 mi