Overview
UN 13,557 was ranked as a 13er by new mapping in 2022. It sits east of the Huerfano valley with a stunning view of Blanca Peak and the rock glacier off California Peak.
About two-fifths of the way is on trail. Then you bushwhack through open forest and follow a long, winding tundra ridge to a rockier top. It is Class 2; strong hikers do it in about four hours.
The round trip is about 7.8 miles with 3,360 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the open tundra by 10:30 a.m.
Deadfall on the trail and the bushwhack.
Moderate. Leave the trail on the forested ridge after it turns east, and head south-southeast to open tundra near 11,800 feet.
Huerfano Creek near the start only. Bring plenty.
Getting to the trailhead
Lily Lake
From Gardner, northwest of Walsenburg, drive west on Colorado 69 about half a mile and turn west on County Road 550. Measure from here: dirt at 7.0 miles; keep left onto Forest Road 580 at 11.8; stay left at the Singing River ranch at 15.7 (narrower but usually OK with good clearance); pass the Aspen River ranch at 16.7.
About 20.8 miles from Colorado 69, the Zapata Trail (853) and the Raspberry Trail meet the road across from each other, about 2 miles before the Lily Lake trailhead. There's room for two cars; more parking and camping is in a meadow just to the south. The Raspberry Trail's sign is below the road bank and easy to miss.
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
Lily 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 →