Overview
Stony Pass Peak (once listed as UN 13,165) sits right above Stony Pass, east of Silverton. If you can drive to the pass, it is one of the quickest 13ers in the San Juans.
You cross flowery tundra southwest from the pass to the east-northeast ridge and follow it up. Grass gives way to rock, and the last bit of ridge has a steep drop on the north side with a few easy scrambling moves. It is Class 2+, and most people are on top in under an hour.
The round trip is about 2 miles with 600 feet of gain. Strong hikers can link it with Galena, Canby, Sheep and Greenhalgh from the pass area for a five-summit day.
Plan of the day
Any time; still beat afternoon storms.
Off the ridge by early afternoon.
The short rocky summit ridge.
Easy. The peak is in plain view from the pass.
None reliable. Bring it.
Getting to the trailhead
Stony Pass
From Silverton, go to the east edge of town and bear right at the fork just past the courthouse onto County Road 2. The pavement ends after about 2 miles. At the old Howardsville site, 4.2 miles from town, turn right on Forest Road 589 toward Cunningham Gulch and Stony Pass.
Keep right at 4.4 miles (the left branch goes to a mine tour). At 5.9 miles, take the left fork onto the Stony Pass road (Forest Road 737). It climbs steeply for about 3 miles to the pass. Past the gulch it turns rough in spots, so a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle is the safer choice, and conditions change from year to year. Park in a small pullout on the south side of the road at the top.
You can car or tent camp at the pass. There are a few spots in Cunningham Gulch south of the Stony Pass turnoff, but don't count on any along the steep road up.
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
Stony Pass. 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 →