Is it right for you?
UN 13,078 sits east of Hanson Peak at the head of Placer Gulch, above Animas Forks. It was once listed as UN 13,075. A 4WD road crosses the saddle just west of it, so a driver can park less than 400 feet below the top.
This route climbs Hanson first, then crosses to the saddle above Parson Lake, either along the connecting ridge (Class 2 tundra and scree) or down Hanson's east side and east along the road. From the saddle it is about 400 feet up tundra, then a little chip rock on a narrow summit ridge. The peak itself is Class 1.
Hanson to UN 13,078 is about 1.25 miles and 435 feet of gain one way. Climbing both from the trailhead and walking back down the road is about 7.5 miles round trip with 2,335 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Leave Hanson by 12:30 p.m.
Narrow, rubbly summit ridge.
Easy. Aim for the saddle that looks down on Parson Lake.
Placer Gulch creek along the road. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,078'…—
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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
California - Placer Gulch
From Silverton, drive east through town. A block beyond the courthouse the paved road splits; bear right onto County Road 2, which has a blue sign. It is also called the Alpine Loop road. Pavement ends after about 2 miles, and good dirt road goes on to Howardsville at 4.2 miles. Keep north 4.3 more miles to the old Eureka site. Past there the road switches to the river's west bank, climbs a steeper shelf and runs up a narrower part of the canyon.
Near 10,740 feet the valley widens and the Picayne Gulch road goes left. Its lower part is very steep and only for 4WD vehicles with low gearing. Most people stay on the main road and take the left turn to Animas Forks; the first of the two turnoffs drops across the river and climbs up to the old mining town. From there head west on County Road 19 (BLM 4505). Maps disagree on whether this road needs 4WD; a high-clearance vehicle is wise. After 1.2 miles you reach the Placer Gulch road (County Road 9) on the left. This junction with California Gulch is the trailhead.
With a good 4WD you can drive up Placer Gulch. The road is fine to about 12,200 feet, then turns rockier on switchbacks at the Gold Prince Mine. At 12,600 feet a short spur goes south and makes a good place to park. The road goes on east to a saddle above Parson Lake, then drops very steeply down Picayne Gulch to the main road. Heavy ATV and 4WD use may have made it worse, so check current conditions. There are no Forest Service campgrounds up here. Eureka has a pay campground that takes reservations, and there are primitive sites on the spur road to the South Fork of the Animas (Boulder Gulch) trailhead and on a side road in the trees in Picayne Gulch. None have services.
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
California - Placer Gulch. 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 →