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Sangre de Cristo Range · Colorado 13er · No. 545 of the 13ers

West Slopes from Rock Creek

Hunts Peak, 13,061'

DifficultyClass 2
Round trip6 mi
Elevation gain3,450'
TrailheadRock Creek (Poncha Pass)
Trailhead elevation9,650'

Conditions on the summit

Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,061'…
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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 · West Slopes from Rock Creek

Overview

Hunts Peak is the northernmost 13er of the Sangres, south of Poncha Pass. From Rock Creek you walk an old road into the Ox Cart burn area, then climb a burned ridge to treeline and walk easy slopes to a seldom-visited summit.

It is Class 2. The burned ridge has lots of dead trees and loose ground, so take your time.

The round trip is about 6 miles with 3,450 feet of gain.

Plan of the day

Start by

By 7 a.m.

Turnaround

Be past the burn by 10 a.m.

Crux

Picking stable ground through the burn.

Route-finding

Easy. Leave the old road at a corner just below 10,900 feet and head east up the ridge.

Water

Rock Creek at the start. Filter it.

Getting to the trailhead

Trailhead

Rock Creek (Poncha Pass)

Find it on a map

From Salida or Poncha Springs, drive US 285 south over Poncha Pass. About 4.5 miles past the pass, turn left on an unmarked dirt road. After 0.6 mile, stay right on FS 980 at a three-way junction; after 1.0 mile more stay left on FS 980; after 0.9 mile go through a gate (close it); after 1.0 mile more reach a junction at 9,700 feet.

Turn right on FS 982. A great camp spot is just ahead; you can park there and walk the last 0.7 mile to save a 4WD stream crossing. The trailhead is just past the crossing.

Where to sleep

Base towns and camping for this climb

Salida, Nathrop & Poncha Springs About 18 mi away as the crow flies · 3 campgrounds listed · free camping: Forest Road 240 (Shavano area) Lodging & camping → Crestone About 30 mi away as the crow flies · 1 campground listed · free camping: Willow Creek trailhead road Lodging & camping →

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

Rock Creek (Poncha Pass). 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 →

Less traffic, less margin

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.