Overview
Bennett Peak is an easy Class 1 summit in the eastern South San Juans, west of Monte Vista. The drive is long for most people, but the hike is short, on trail and tundra, with lots of wildflowers. It makes a very good family outing. The only notable feature is the steep east face above the San Francisco Lakes.
Trail 702 crosses the South Fork and climbs the valley on its north side; it's more of an ATV track, and cattle graze along it. Above the trees you leave it and walk up grass to a saddle at the south foot of the peak, where a fence has a gate. A track then goes straight up the gentle south slopes to a big summit cairn.
The round trip is about 7 miles with about 2,100 feet of gain. A family can be back at the car in a short morning.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the south saddle by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard.
Easy. Head for the low saddle with the fence and gate south of the summit.
Don't count on the creek or springs here; there are many cattle. Carry what you need.
Getting to the trailhead
South Fork Rock Creek
From the center of Monte Vista, where US 285, US 160 and Highway 15 meet, go south on Highway 15 for 2.3 miles. Turn right (west) on County Road 2S (locally also County Road R, or Rock Creek Road). After 2.5 paved miles it turns sharply south and becomes County Road 28. Go 4 more miles; the pavement ends where the road crosses Rock Creek at a ranch. About half a mile later, turn right (west) past a kiosk. County Road 28 becomes Forest Road 28; follow it to its end.
The road crosses ranch land and prairie, enters a canyon, goes over a low rise, and follows the South Fork of Rock Creek past two first-come, first-served campgrounds: Rock Creek Recreation Area and, just under 3 miles on, Comstock. Both have vault toilets and no water. Above Comstock the road crosses to the south side of the creek, climbs two switchbacks, and ends at a flat parking area. Most passenger cars can make it; a little extra clearance helps.
The parking area isn't a good camp, but there are at least two primitive sites on the way up from Comstock. Much of the land below is grazed or private, so please stay off private property. Dead, beetle-killed forest lines the upper road.
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
South Fork Rock Creek. 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 →