Overview
UN 13,207 (once listed as UN 13,201) rises west of the North Fork of Henson Creek, with great views of Wetterhorn Peak and Coxcomb. It's often climbed with UN 13,313.
You follow the Uncompahgre Trail (Trail 226) up Mary Alice Creek, cut west across the creek to the south ridge, and walk the ridge on tundra and chip rock, skirting one cliffy section. It is Class 2. An ice axe can help early in the summer when snow lingers.
The round trip is about 5 miles with 2,545 feet of gain. Most people reach the top in a little over two hours.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the ridge by 10:30 a.m.
The cliffy section on the ridge near 12,800 feet.
Moderate. Avalanches have damaged the trail, so you may need to improvise to reach the upper basin.
Mary Alice Creek. Sheep graze here, so filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Mary Alice Creek
From Gunnison or Montrose, take US 50 to the Highway 149 junction at the east end of Blue Mesa Reservoir and follow 149 south about 45 miles to Lake City. In town, go west on 2nd Street (3rd Street also works and passes a park with restrooms), then turn left on Bluff Street onto County Road 20, the Henson Creek road and part of the Alpine Loop.
County Road 20 is good gravel that cars can drive for 9.1 miles to Capitol City. You pass the Nellie Creek road at about 5.2 miles. At Capitol City take the right fork, Forest Road 870 (County Road 24), northwest up the North Fork of Henson Creek. About 11.1 miles from Lake City you reach the Matterhorn Creek trailhead turnoff, where many people park. The road is rougher here but higher-clearance SUVs can usually make it.
For Mary Alice Creek, keep going west about 0.75 mile on a road that keeps getting rougher. Stock 4WD is the better choice. Park near where a road turns northwest just after you cross Mary Alice Creek; that road is the start of the trail. This road runs right past the Matterhorn Creek area, which saw closures after the 2026 Elk Fire, so check current Forest Service closures before you go. There are primitive camp spots near the Matterhorn Creek crossing, but they fill on weekends.
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
Mary Alice 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 →