Overview
Mount Owen is on the west side of the northern Sangre, above Cherry and Cotton lakes. New mapping added 21 feet to its height. The approach from the San Luis Valley is on a good trail from a car-friendly trailhead.
The Wild Cherry Creek trail climbs 3.5 miles through aspen and forest to an open meadow. Then a relentlessly steep grass and tundra slope leads 1,000-plus feet to the west ridge, and a boulder hop takes you to the top. It is Class 2.
The round trip is about 10 miles with 4,900 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be on the west ridge by 11 a.m.
The long, steep southwest slope.
Easy. Leave the Cherry Lake trail just past the trees on the north side of the basin, near 11,500 feet.
Wild Cherry Creek. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Wild Cherry Creek
From Poncha Pass, drive south on US 285 to where Colorado 17 splits off. Take 17 south 6.4 miles and turn left (east) on County Road AA. From Alamosa, it's 44 miles north on 17 to AA.
Drive about 8 miles east to the trailhead. The last 2.25 miles are rougher dirt; ignore the side roads and keep going east. There are a few primitive camp spots and no facilities.
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
Wild Cherry 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 →