Sangre de Cristo Range · Colorado 13er · No. 313 of the 13ers
Northeast Ridge from Spring Mountain
Venable Peak, 13,333'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip14.45 mi
Elevation gain5,320'
TrailheadAlvarado Campground
Trailhead elevation9,060'
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 · Northeast Ridge from Spring Mountain
Overview
Venable Peak is the northern end of a three-peak loop with Comanche Peak and Spring Mountain, and has the best view south to the Crestones and Kit Carson.
From Spring Mountain you cross a saddle and climb a steeper, rockier Class 2 slope to the summit ridge. The trail down across Venable's east face is one of the most striking in the range.
The loop is about 14.45 miles with 5,320 feet of gain, mostly on maintained trail.
Head south from Westcliffe on Colorado 69 for 3 miles and turn right (west) on County Road 140 (Schoolfield Road). It jogs left and then right again, still County Road 140, then climbs through five right-angle turns past homes.
Soon after the fifth turn, bear right on County Road 148, which crosses a field and zigzags up to a large trailhead lot. Cars are fine. Alvarado Campground (fee, reservable, vault toilets, no water lately) is just south.
RidgeTrail in the treesTalus and screeExposed 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
Alvarado trailhead 9,060' · 0 mi
From the southwest end of the lot, take the Comanche-Venable Trail (1345). It skirts the campground and soon crosses the Rainbow Trail.
2
Dividing ridge 11,050' · 3.5 mi
The trail climbs gently through dry forest, crosses a small stream off Spring Mountain, then turns south and switchbacks steeply to a ridge.
3
Comanche Lake 11,640' · 4.8 mi
It's more than another mile through the trees to the lake. A short side trail goes to the shore; there's some room to camp.
4
Pass 12,800' · 5.8 mi
Continue southwest up the valley, switchbacking through willows and then open tundra.
5
Comanche Peak 13,277' · 6.3 mi
Walk about half a mile south near the ridge line on tundra and embedded rock.
6
Spring Mountain 13,248' · 7.2 mi
Go back down the north ridge to the pass and climb about 545 feet on tundra and flowers. Under half an hour.
7
Spring-Venable saddle 12,800' · 7.7 mi
Walk northwest down tundra. The Comanche-Venable Trail crosses the saddle.
8
Venable Peak 13,333' · 8.2 mi
Climb northwest on steeper, rockier ground with some loose scree to the ridge, then walk southwest to the top.
Getting down
Go back to the Spring-Venable saddle and follow the trail northeast across Venable's dramatic east face, through bands of tilted conglomerate rock, down to the twin Venable Lakes near treeline. It's about 3.5 more miles of trail past bristlecone pines, Venable Falls (a short side trip), an old cabin and aspens to the trailhead. Follow signs for the right trail near the end.
If things go wrong
The Comanche-Venable Trail at the saddles leads down either side of the loop.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Between summits the route leaves the trail for easy tundra ridges. 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 Venable 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.