Is it right for you?
Corbett Ridge (UN 13,107) is a small summit at the far east end of the Sneffels Range, overshadowed by Whitehouse Mountain next door. It is reached from the north, out of Ridgway.
From the upper trailhead, a rough road leads to big meadows by the Burn Hut. Game trails lead through the trees to the north ridge and across to the main north drainage, then a steep, loose slog up the north-northwest ridge reaches a false summit. An outward-sloping ledge around the east side of the summit block reaches the true top, only about 10 feet higher. It is Class 2+.
From the upper trailhead the round trip is about 8 miles with 3,680 feet of gain. Driving to the end of the road near the Burn Hut saves about 1.1 miles each way and about 330 feet. From the lower lot, the round trip is close to 16 miles.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be at treeline on the ridge by 10:30 a.m.
The sliding scree on the upper ridge and the ledge on the summit block.
Moderate. Use the game trails to find the north ridge and the main north drainage.
Little on the route. Carry what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,107'…—
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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
Upper Miller Mesa
In Ridgway, head west on CO 62 and turn left on the last street you can, South Amelia Street. Go about three blocks south and turn right on County Road 5. Follow this graded dirt road about 5.3 miles up onto Miller Mesa to Elk Meadows, where a large parking area sits at a junction. Passenger cars should stop here.
Higher-clearance vehicles can go on south-southeast on Forest Road 852. It loops around a low hill, past a view down into Beaver Creek, along an old ditch, and down to cross a fork of Coal Creek. At a gate, 3.7 miles from the lower lot, it enters National Forest. About 0.4 mile farther, the road turns sharply east. This bend, at about 9,430 feet, is the upper trailhead, with good camping nearby. Starting from the lower lot adds about 4 miles each way and about 700 feet of gain.
There are a few primitive sites along FR 852 below the gate, but they may be on private land. The upper trailhead should be on National Forest land.
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
Upper Miller Mesa. 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 →