Is it right for you?
UN 13,145 (once listed as UN 13,159) is a quiet summit above Mill Creek Basin and the striking blue-green Columbine Lake, southwest of Red Mountain Pass. Few people go there, and the view of the Grenadier Range is excellent.
The Columbine Lake trail climbs 15 switchbacks through the trees and then heads west up an open valley toward Point 13,051. Near the top you leave the trail for the saddle between Point 13,051 and UN 13,145, then finish west on a rocky Class 2 ridge with a little easy scrambling. You can also stay on the trail over the pass and come up to the same saddle from the north.
The round trip is about 5.8 miles with 2,855 feet of gain. A much longer day links Three Needles, Bridal Peak and this summit from Red Mountain Pass: about 12.5 miles and 4,075 feet.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be leaving the trail for the saddle by 11 a.m.
The rocky final ridge.
Easy to moderate. Know which saddle you want; several points ring the head of the valley.
Streams along the lower trail. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,145'…—
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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
Columbine Lake Trail 509
From the top of Red Mountain Pass, drive south on US 550 for 4.2 miles, past the big switchback to where the highway runs south again, and turn right (west) on Forest Road 820. It drops to Mineral Creek and runs north. Where avalanches wrecked the road, you drive a short way through the creek. That is easy at low water but can be strong during runoff.
Past the creek, the road switchbacks up the hill. Above the third switchback it climbs steeply to a parking area by an open drainage, below an old mine. The trail is 0.2 mile farther south, at small pullouts, marked by a brown post for Trail 509. Careful passenger cars can usually make it; more clearance is easier.
To skip the ford, go 0.7 mile farther south on US 550 (4.7 miles from the junction west of Silverton) to the Ophir Pass road. Cross the bridge over Mineral Creek, go 0.2 mile, and turn right on Forest Road 820; this end is a bit rougher. There are primitive sites at the first switchbacks and near the highway. The nearest campgrounds are up South Mineral Creek and are busy all summer.
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
Columbine Lake Trail 509. 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 →