Is it right for you?
UN 13,048 is an easy tundra summit in the Uncompahgre Wilderness, north of Big Blue Creek. It's one of the nicest tundra walks around, and it pairs with UN 13,015.
You cross a pass and drop into the Big Blue Creek valley, then either follow the Fall Creek trail to the 12,700-foot pass between Silver Mountain and UN 13,048 and turn right up the broad ridge, or take a slightly shorter, steeper line straight up the south slope. Both are Class 2 on tundra.
The round trip is about 10 miles with about 3,600 feet of gain, counting the 1,000-foot climb back over the pass on the way out. UN 13,015 can be added from UN 13,048 for a round trip of about 14 miles. Mileage and gain are our estimates.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be across Big Blue Creek by 10 a.m.
The length and the climb back to the pass.
Easy. The Fall Creek trail is the simpler line if unsure.
Nellie Creek and Big Blue Creek. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,048'…—
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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
Nellie Creek
In Lake City, turn west on 2nd Street (or 3rd Street, which passes a city park with restrooms) and go two blocks to Bluff Street. Turn left (south) onto County Road 20, which runs west up Henson Creek. After 5.2 miles, turn right (north) on the signed Nellie Creek road, Forest Road 877. Regular cars should not try this road. Camping is not allowed along this part of County Road 20, but there are a few sites a short way up the Nellie Creek road.
A stock 4WD is the minimum past those first campsites. The road is rough and potholed at first, then rocky but never hard. At 2.0 miles it crosses to the west side of Nellie Creek and climbs a steep switchback. About 0.4 mile later, turn hard left (the older road going right leads toward Crystal Peak). After another mile the road levels out in a long meadow, and the trailhead is 0.8 mile farther, about 4 miles from County Road 20. Allow at least half an hour. Road conditions change, so check before you go.
The ground at the trailhead is sloped. For flatter campsites, go back about a quarter mile into the trees, or use the meadow. Uncompahgre Peak draws big crowds on summer weekends, so parking and campsites fill early.
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
Nellie Creek. 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 →