Is it right for you?
Sheep Mountain is the peak with the long, flat, north-sloping top that you can see from US 50 between Montrose and Gunnison. It rises above the Little Cimarron River, inside the Uncompahgre Wilderness, and sees few visitors.
A long, gentle trail follows the Little Cimarron, with one ford. You then climb the fifth avalanche chute on the east face, through debris and grass to tundra, and reach the summit plateau just south of the top. It is Class 2 and easy to follow.
The round trip is about 11 miles with 3,455 feet of gain. UN 13,102, about a mile south, makes an easy add. You can also start from the camp at the Alpine Trail bridge, half a mile north, and walk a trail up the west bank that joins the main route after about 2 miles.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be at the top of the chute by 11 a.m.
The long, steep chute.
Easy. Count the avalanche chutes carefully.
The Little Cimarron and creeks in the avalanche chute. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,170'…—
—
—
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
East Cimarron
About 21 miles east of Montrose on US 50 (roughly 64 miles west of Gunnison), turn south at the signed County Road 864. It is the only road that reaches this trailhead.
Follow the good graded gravel road south about 17 miles. Once it enters the Uncompahgre National Forest it is Forest Road 864. The trailhead is a very small parking spot on a sharp switchback, with a post sign for the East Cimarron Trail. Most cars can make it.
There are primitive camp areas just inside the forest boundary and farther south, and another about half a mile before the trailhead, where the Alpine Trail (225) crosses the river on a bridge. None of them have facilities. The 2026 Gold Mountain Fire closed some campgrounds and trailheads on the Cimarron side. Check current Forest Service closures before you go.
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
East Cimarron. 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 →