Is it right for you?
Garfield Peak sits a mile south of Grizzly Peak, the highest 13er in Colorado, west of Independence Pass. Many people climb both.
From the Lincoln Creek road you climb an open avalanche chute, past willows and old mine tailings, then talus and scree to the ridge north of the summit. A couple of steps on the ridge are Class 3 if you stay on the crest; you can bypass them on the west side. The rest is Class 2.
The round trip from Portal Campground is about 9.5 miles with 3,220 feet of gain; a 4WD or bike on the road saves most of the walking. Garfield can also be reached from Grizzly Peak and McNasser Gulch on the east side.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the ridge by 11 a.m.
Loose talus below the ridge.
Easy. Stay on the right edge of the avalanche chute to avoid willows.
Lincoln Creek and side streams. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,778'…—
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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.
Getting there
Lincoln Gulch
From Aspen, drive east on Highway 82 toward Independence Pass. About a mile past the Grottos trailhead, turn right at an information kiosk onto the Lincoln Creek road, which crosses the Roaring Fork right away. From the east, it's just under 4 miles below Lost Man Campground on the west side of the pass.
Cars should park at the kiosk or at Lincoln Gulch Campground. With a high-clearance 4WD, take the Grizzly Reservoir road, which branches left just before the campground. It is slow going over potholes and rock slabs: about 6 miles and more than half an hour to Grizzly Reservoir and the small Portal Campground (about 10,570 feet; toilets, first come, first served). The first 3 miles have 22 numbered campsites with bear lockers.
A gate just past Portal Campground is often locked until early July and may close again in fall; there is private land up the valley. When it's open, a high-clearance 4WD can go on toward the old Ruby Mine. Otherwise, walk or bike the road; a bike makes the ride back much faster.
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
Lincoln Gulch. 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 →