Overview
Bushnell Peak is on the northern Sangre crest, with long views over glacier-carved basins on the east side. Private land makes access awkward from both sides. This route comes from the San Luis Valley up Brook Creek on an old road.
You walk the old road, then climb a steep ridge to treeline and 1,000 feet of rock and talus to the top. It is a stiff Class 2; one party took about four hours up.
The round trip is about 5.5 miles with 3,975 feet of gain. Twin Sisters North is 1.15 miles farther along the crest. From the east, a longer route uses the Kerr Gulch trailhead, the Rainbow Trail and the Bushnell Lakes trail.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the last trees by 10:30 a.m.
Getting to the trailhead, then steep talus.
Moderate. Leave the old road near 10,600 feet where it breaks out of the trees.
Brook Creek, about 100 yards south of the road's end. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Brook Creek
From Villa Grove on US 285, drive north 0.8 mile and turn right on County Road 57, then north 1.6 miles to County Road NN56. (From Poncha Pass, turn left on signed NN56 before Villa Grove and go 0.8 mile east to 57.)
From that junction, follow the graded road north about 3 miles as it jogs east and back north. At a T, go right, then right again right away, then left at the next fork. The road runs northeast beside Raspberry Creek, with camp spots in the cottonwoods.
Turn right on a single track across the creek to a gate (close it behind you); if you reach a house with No Trespassing signs you missed it. Beyond is Forest Road 985: 1.7 very slow miles of rocks and scratchy scrub oak to the road's end near 9,140 feet. It isn't maintained and may be closed, so check with the Rio Grande National Forest. Without a sturdy 4WD, park near Raspberry Creek and walk.
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
Brook 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 →