Is it right for you?
Twilight Peak is the highest of the three Twilight summits in the West Needle Mountains, south of Molas Pass, with a grand view of the Needle Mountains.
You climb North Twilight Peak first, drop to the saddle, and follow the north ridge until a deep notch blocks it. A faint path contours west into a steep gully, and a narrow side gully leads up out of it. That part is Class 3 on mostly solid rock. Easy slopes finish the climb. Allow about 45 minutes from North Twilight.
The round trip from Andrews Lake is about 15 miles with 3,655 feet of gain. From Crater Lake, North Twilight and Twilight are about 4.5 miles and 2,405 feet. Twilight, North Twilight and South Twilight are usually done as one loop from a camp at Crater Lake, a 5.25-mile backpack from Andrews Lake on a good trail.
Plan of the day
Camp at Crater Lake; leave camp by 7 a.m.
Be on North Twilight by 10 a.m.
The Class 3 side gully below the summit.
Moderate. Leave the ridge where the tundra ends, before the notch.
Crater Lake and the streams on the way. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,162'…—
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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
Andrews Lake
Andrews Lake sits just off US 550 between Silverton and Durango. From Silverton, don't go into town; stay on US 550 as it switchbacks up to Molas Pass (10,899 feet, with a big pullout and vault toilets). Keep going 0.9 mile past the pass to the signed Andrews Lake turnoff on the left.
From Durango, drive north on US 550 over Coalbank Pass. The highway drops to a sharp bend near 9,800 feet and climbs again; the signed turnoff is 6.4 miles past Coalbank Pass. If you reach the top of Molas Pass, turn around and go back 0.9 mile.
A narrow paved road leads about 0.6 mile to the lake. The lower lot by the water is for day use. A fork climbs to a much larger upper lot for backpackers, horse groups and other overnight users, with picnic tables and vault toilets. Any car can get here. You can sleep in a vehicle at the upper lot, but tents aren't allowed. Little Molas Lake (Forest Service) and Molas Lake (run by Silverton, with pay showers) have campgrounds just north of the pass.
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
Andrews Lake. 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 →