Is it right for you?
Peak Twelve is a small, unranked summit between upper Noname Creek and upper Ruby Creek, dwarfed by Monitor Peak and its other neighbors. It's the easiest summit to reach from the upper Noname camps, and the view of Jagged, the Heisspitz, Pigeon, Turret and Monitor is excellent. There is no road; you ride the Durango and Silverton train to Needleton and backpack in.
From camp you cross the east fork, follow a faint path south toward Twin Thumbs Pass, cross the main creek below a narrow gorge, and climb onto a low ridge into the basin below Monitor Peak. A flowery slope with granite outcrops leads to the Peak Twelve and Monitor saddle, and an easy rubble ridge goes east to the top. It is Class 2.
The round trip from Needleton is about 18 miles with 5,100 feet of gain. From the upper camps it's about 3.5 miles and 2,350 feet. The upper camps are about 7.25 miles from Needleton: past the old cabin and a marshy stretch (go around it on the left), to the east end of a long, flat meadow near 10,800 feet where Noname Creek forks. Peak Twelve can also be reached from upper Ruby Creek.
Plan of the day
Camp in the upper Noname valley; leave by 7 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard. The summit is exposed to storms.
Moderate. The path toward Twin Thumbs Pass fades in tall plants; find the crossing below the gorge.
Noname Creek and its forks. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
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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
Needleton Bridge
There is no road access. Take the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and ask to be dropped at the Needleton stop. Train policies on where you can board and get off have changed over the years, so check with the railroad before you plan the trip. Know the pickup time for your return and do not miss it.
From the Needleton stop, cross the Animas River on the footbridge to the east side. The route starts here at about 8,235 feet. There are cabins on private land near the bridge, so stay on the trail until you are past them.
For Noname Creek, turn left (north) after the bridge and walk past the cabins. There is camping in the meadows past Pigeon Creek, beyond the private cabin land. Some years the railroad has let riders board in Silverton, but recent reports say the afternoon southbound train from Silverton only stops at Elk Park, so plan around the railroad's current rules.
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
Needleton Bridge. 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 →