Is it right for you?
Conejos Peak is one of Colorado's most southern 13ers, about 33 miles north of the New Mexico line in the South San Juan Wilderness. It's a long drive from most cities, but the hike itself is an easy tundra walk in a quiet, beautiful area. Expect cattle and sheep grazing in summer. Newer survey data added 4 feet to its height.
Trail 722 climbs along the north side of Saddle Creek, crosses the main fork, and switchbacks up to a pass on the east ridge at about 12,020 feet. From there a faint trail follows the broad, grassy ridge to the top. It's Class 2 at most, with no exposure. A shorter, more direct line up the basin is possible, but it means fighting chest-high willows and is not worth it.
The round trip on Trail 722 is about 8.6 miles with about 2,100 feet of gain. The direct basin line cuts it to about 5.6 miles. Mileage and gain are our estimates.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the east-ridge pass by 10:30 a.m.
Nothing hard; just strong wind on the ridge early in the season.
Easy. Stay on Trail 722 all the way to the ridge.
Saddle Creek and its forks low down. Cattle graze here, so filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,176'…—
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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
Saddle Creek - Conejos
Head to Alamosa, then go south on US 285 to Antonito. About a mile south of the town center, US 285 swings off to the left; keep right on Highway 17, the road toward Chama, New Mexico, and La Manga Pass. The highway crosses the Conejos River in just under 5 miles and then runs along its north bank for several miles.
Where the highway bends southwest at a small settlement, turn right on County Road 250, the Conejos River Road. If the highway crosses the river again and starts up toward the pass, you've gone too far. Follow this graded dirt road northwest up the valley, which can take up to half an hour, and turn left on Forest Road 105 (Saddle Creek Road) about 0.9 mile before Lake Fork Campground.
Forest Road 105 climbs through switchback pairs at about 1.7 and 3.1 miles. At about 4.8 miles, Forest Road 100 splits off on a sharp curve; stay on 105, which turns west. Drive 1.8 more miles to the next sharp, hairpin curve and park; this is the trailhead. The last stretch past Road 100 is rocky and slow. 4WD isn't needed, but a car with more clearance than usual is. You can car camp at the trailhead. Lake Fork Campground (vault toilets, by the river, reservable) and primitive spots along County Road 250 are other choices. Coming from Treasure Creek, you can also take Forest Road 250 south from near Stunner Campground over Stunner Pass (about 4 miles) to Platoro, then follow the Conejos down past Lake Fork Campground to Road 105.
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
Saddle Creek - Conejos. 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 →