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.
Colorado 13er · Ridge from UN 13,656
Overview
Point 13,654 is where the ridge east of South Zapata Lake bends sharply east. It was long thought to be the high point, but new mapping put it 2 feet lower than UN 13,656, 0.4 mile south.
Climb UN 13,656 from the lake, then walk the narrow ridge northwest on large broken rock. It is Class 2 with big views.
The round trip from the trailhead is about 12.7 miles with 4,900 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. You can do it in one long day, but many people backpack to the lake and climb the peaks around it. UN 13,577 is about an hour's round trip farther east.
Plan of the day
Start by
Leave the lake by 6:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on the ridge by 11 a.m.
Crux
Steep talus to the ridge.
Route-finding
Moderate. From the lake, stay off the rock glacier and bear north as you climb so you reach the ridge near the summit.
Take US 160 west from Blanca for roughly 6 miles and turn right onto Colorado 150 toward Great Sand Dunes. After about 10.8 miles, turn right (east) on the Zapata Falls road (BLM 5415). From the dunes visitor center, it's about 9 miles south on 150.
The graded gravel road climbs 3.6 miles, with several switchbacks, to the Zapata Falls campground and trailhead. Cars are fine. There's a day-use and backpacker lot, vault toilets and a small first-come fee campground with no water.
Trail in the treesTundraTalus and screeRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Zapata Falls trailhead 9,075' · 0 mi
Walk up the old road toward the falls. The South Zapata Lake Trail forks right, up onto the ridge above the falls; signs have been poor, so watch for it.
2
Creek crossing 9,400' · 0.8 mi
A little above the falls, cross South Zapata Creek. Wade if there's no log or bridge; it runs fast in June.
Watch for: Swift water in early summer.
3
North Fork junction 10,300' · 2.25 mi
The trail climbs steeply to a small ridge, then contours up the east side of the valley below some cliffs. Stay on the main trail where Trail 868 turns east.
4
Upper crossing 11,360' · 3.6 mi
The trail crosses the creek to the west side. There's a sheltered campsite in the trees here, the best cover in the valley.
5
Last big trees 11,800' · 4.2 mi
The forest ends about 3/4 mile below the lake; willows take over.
6
South Zapata Lake 11,900' · 4.8 mi
Few campsites here, mostly on the northwest side, and no trees for shelter.
7
Southeast stream 12,100' · 5.1 mi
Skirt the lake on its east shore and follow the small stream that comes in from the southeast. Stay off the rock glacier to the southwest.
8
Talus slope 12,600' · 5.4 mi
After about a quarter mile, turn east and start the steeper climb. Bear north so you don't top out at Point 13,618.
9
UN 13,656 13,656' · 6.2 mi
Tundra gives way to large, mostly stable talus. Aim to reach the ridge about a quarter mile northwest of Point 13,618, near the summit.
10
Point 13,654 13,654' · 6.6 mi
Follow the narrow ridge northwest on large broken rock.
Getting down
Walk back south along the ridge. From just south of the high point on the ridge, drop west-southwest down the big couloir between rock walls straight to the lake. It is loose talus, or a quick glissade when it holds snow.
If things go wrong
Head back down toward the lake the way you came.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above South Zapata Lake the route is trailless. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.