North Ridge from Mas Alto Peak

Overview

Alto Peak is 0.4 mile south of Mas Alto Peak on the ridge around Mas Alto Lake. This is a short backpack over Hermit Pass to a lovely camp at Rito Alto Lake, from which you can climb several 13ers.

Near the saddle between the two, the ridge turns to rocky slabs and outcrops. You can scramble the crest, up to Class 3, or bypass it on the east with steep but secure Class 2+ ground. Mas Alto, Alto and Menos Alto circle Mas Alto Lake and make a good half-day loop from camp. Clouds often hang on this side of the range.

The three-peak loop from Hermit Pass is about 8.3 miles with 4,265 feet of gain.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

Hermit Road (County Road 160) leaves Colorado 69 heading west just 0.3 mile south of the 69/96 junction in Westcliffe. After 6 miles, stay left at a fork. The road soon gets rough; it needs 4WD with good clearance above about 9,100 feet.

You pass the Rainbow Trail about 2 miles from the fork and the Hermit Lake trail at about 6 miles. The last 3 miles to Hermit Pass are very rough. Below 11,400 feet there are many pull-offs and camp spots, including a great one on the left near 10,960 feet.

Mileage below starts at Hermit Pass. A capable stock 4WD can usually reach it, though the road is now very rocky. If yours can't, park lower and walk; it's about 3.6 miles up the road from the camp spot near 10,960 feet.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Hermit Pass 13,000' · 0 mi

   Past the pass, the drivable road ends. Follow the old roadbed, now grassy, as it descends west.

2. 2

   Third switchback 12,560' · 0.8 mi

   The old road zigzags three times near 12,700 feet. At the third bend, leave it and head straight down a broad tundra ridge.

3. 3

   Trail junction 11,880' · 1.4 mi

   Low trees and willows appear near the junction of Trails 747 and 745. There are tent spots on benches a short way north.

4. 4

   Rito Alto Lake 11,340' · 2.1 mi

   Go straight (west) down Trail 745, through two sets of switchbacks with a view of the lake and a big headwall. The trail runs along the west side of the lake. A good campsite sits up a short slope on the left, just before a stream coming from the northwest.

5. 5

   Dry drainage 11,900' · 2.5 mi

   From camp, climb about 600 feet up through the forest to the dry drainage from Mas Alto Lake.

6. 6

   Meadow 12,200' · 2.8 mi

   Follow it to the north side of a 12,200-foot knoll and into a meadow full of flowers.

7. 7

   Southeast ridge 12,600' · 3.2 mi

   Cross the little valley toward a bulge on the ridge southeast of the summit, passing a crumbling rock pinnacle.

8. 8

   Mas Alto Peak 13,065' · 3.6 mi

   Climb steepening tundra, grass and rock. A band of rock near the top has an easy way through.

9. 9

   Saddle 12,730' · 3.85 mi

   Head south along the ridge. Near the saddle there's an extra bump and a rocky section of slabs and outcrops.

10. 10

    Alto Peak 13,059' · 4 mi

    Scramble the crest (up to Class 3), or drop about 50 feet east on a tundra ramp, contour south below the outcrops, and climb back up slabs and tundra ledges. Finish on the west side of the ridge.

    Watch for: Steep but secure; Class 2+.

Getting down

Continue to Menos Alto. From Menos Alto, head north-northwest down talus and scree to Mas Alto Lake, then on to a small tarn and into the high valley just west of Rito Alto Lake. Rejoin your route up and walk back down through open forest to camp.

If things go wrong

Return north over Mas Alto and down its southeast slopes.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Alto Peak we list, with its class.

• "Alto Peak" North Ridge this routeClass 2+ 8.3 mi