Sangre de Cristo Range · Colorado 13er · No. 148 of the 13ers
Ridge from De Anza Peak
Gibbs Peak, 13,577'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip25 mi
Elevation gain7,100'
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 · Ridge from De Anza Peak
Overview
Gibbs Peak is a remote summit on a spur east of the main crest, with a big view down the Wet Valley. It is usually climbed from a South Brush Creek camp together with De Anza Peak, and often Mount Marcy.
From De Anza, a 1.5-mile ridge of tundra and embedded rock leads to Gibbs. It is Class 1 to 2, with a blocky finish.
The round trip from the Gibson Creek trailhead is about 25 miles with 7,100 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. 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
Cross the creek 11,700' · 9.9 mi
Find a way across South Brush Creek near camp.
8
De Anza Peak 13,391' · 11.25 mi
Climb De Anza's north flank to the northeast ridge and the top.
9
Gibbs Peak 13,577' · 12.75 mi
Follow the ridge about 1.5 miles to Gibbs on tundra and embedded rock. Stay on the west side of the crest; the east side drops steeply into Horseshoe Bend. You lose over 600 feet and climb about 800. Scramble some blocky rock at the top.
Getting down
Walk back southwest along the ridge, then northwest to the Gibbs-De Anza saddle. From a little east of the saddle, descend a broken ramp of tundra and rock, crossing three gullies, then drop into the Horseshoe Bend drainage. Contour on the west side of the creek toward the trees near Point 11,575, where game trails lead back to South Brush Creek and camp.
A trail in the north fork of Texas Creek is another way out, but it gets little use.
If things go wrong
The Gibbs-De Anza saddle and the Horseshoe Bend drainage lead back 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 Gibbs Peak we list, with its class.
Gibbs Peak NW & SW Ridgesthis routeClass 2 26.25 mi
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.