Sangre de Cristo Range · Colorado 13er · No. 131 of the 13ers
South-Southeast Ridge from South Brush Creek
Electric Peak, 13,618'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip23 mi
Elevation gain6,400'
TrailheadGibson Creek
Trailhead elevation9,130'
Conditions on the summit
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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.
Colorado 13er · South-Southeast Ridge from South Brush Creek
Overview
Electric Peak is a remote Class 2 summit on the main Sangre crest, north of De Anza Peak, far from any road. Private land on the east side leaves long trail approaches as the only way in.
From a treeline camp in South Brush Creek, the trail takes you to the crest. Then you walk north over Point 13,060 on tundra and embedded rock. The summit looks down about 1,000 feet on Banjo Lake. Watch for elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
The round trip from the Gibson Creek trailhead is about 23 miles with 6,400 feet of gain, most of it on the approach. Most people backpack in and camp near treeline, then climb the next day. The Ducket Creek trailhead to the north is a bit shorter, with about 1,000 feet less wasted climbing on the Rainbow Trail.
Plan of the day
Start by
Leave camp by 6:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on the crest by 11 a.m.
Crux
The long approach. The peaks themselves are easy.
Route-finding
Easy once you're on the crest. The Rainbow Trail has many junctions; stay on it north to South Brush Creek.
From Westcliffe, drive south on Colorado 69 and turn west on County Road 160, across from the gas station. After 6 miles, turn right on County Road 164, go 1.5 miles, then left on County Road 172. The Forest Service boundary (often the winter closure) is 0.3 mile up, and the trailhead 0.2 mile beyond.
Much of the land along the way is private. Park only at the trailhead, or along the road with care if it is full, and don't camp on the drive in.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeExposed 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
Gibson Creek trailhead 9,130' · 0 mi
Take the side trail north-northwest past private land to the Rainbow Trail and turn right (north).
2
Rainbow Trail 9,300' · 0.4 mi
The Rainbow Trail crosses drainage after drainage. Expect about 2,000 feet of extra up and down before the next turn.
3
South Brush Creek Trail 9,200' · 6.2 mi
Turn left (west) at the signed junction with a register.
4
Goat Creek 9,500' · 6.8 mi
Cross the creek, usually a trickle, then climb more steeply about half a mile to a ridge.
5
South Brush Creek 9,900' · 7.6 mi
Drop to South Brush Creek and find a place to cross; it can be high in early summer. The trail then stays on the north side, well above the creek.
6
Treeline camp 11,650' · 9.75 mi
The middle stretch is the steepest. Near the last trees, around 11,600 to 11,700 feet, look for a sheltered campsite a little north of the creek.
7
Crest 12,850' · 10.6 mi
Keep following the South Brush Creek Trail over tundra and some rock to where it crosses the main crest, just above 12,800 feet.
8
Saddle 12,820' · 11.1 mi
Turn north, go over Point 13,060 and drop to a saddle.
9
Summit 13,618' · 11.5 mi
Walk northwest on tundra, embedded rock and a little rubble to the top.
Getting down
Return the same way, or keep walking the crest south to De Anza Peak.
If things go wrong
The trail on the crest leads straight back down to camp.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above the South Brush Creek Trail the route is trailless ridge walking. 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.
Other routes
Every way up Electric Peak we list, with its class.
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.