Is it right for you?
North Twilight Peak is the northern of the three Twilight summits in the West Needle Mountains, south of Molas Pass. From the top you look west to Engineer Mountain, and the Needle Mountains fill the view to the east. New lidar data raised its height to 13,084 feet.
Most people hike in to Crater Lake, camp, and climb the next day. From the south end of the lake you go up through trees into an open basin, follow a steep climbers' path to the east ridge, cross two notches, and walk to the top. It is Class 2, mostly tundra and then rock. The ridge looks rougher from below than it is.
The round trip from Andrews Lake is about 13.1 miles with 2,685 feet of gain; from Crater Lake it's about 2.6 miles and 1,435 feet. North Twilight, Twilight and South Twilight are usually climbed as one outing from a camp at Crater Lake, a 5.25-mile backpack from Andrews Lake on a good trail. A day trip from the car is also possible. Strong parties can add West Needle Mountain.
Plan of the day
Camp at Crater Lake; leave camp by 7 a.m.
Be on the east ridge by 10 a.m.
The notch on the east ridge, if it holds snow.
Easy to moderate. Look for the climbers' path near 12,200 feet in the basin.
Crater Lake and the streams along the way. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,084'…—
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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 is just off US 550 between Silverton and Durango. From the north, skip Silverton itself and stay on US 550 as it switchbacks up to Molas Pass (10,899 feet, with a big pullout and vault toilets). Go 0.9 mile past the pass, heading south, to the signed Andrews Lake turnoff.
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 come back 0.9 mile.
A narrow paved road leads a little over 0.6 mile to the lake. The lower lot by the water is for day use only. 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. Tents aren't allowed at the upper lot, though you can sleep in a vehicle. 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 →