Sawatch Range · Colorado 13er · No. 69 of the 13ers
South Ridge from Echo Canyon
Bull Hill, 13,758'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip7.4 mi
Elevation gain3,775'
TrailheadEcho Canyon
Trailhead elevation9,990'
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.
Bull Hill is said to be the highest 'hill' in Colorado, west of Mount Elbert, with an outstanding view of Elbert and La Plata Peak. You'll likely have it to yourself.
A trail and old mining road climb Echo Canyon past the Last Chance and Golden Fleece mines. A short, steeper rocky slope leads to the grassy south ridge. It is Class 2 and family friendly; one family took a leisurely seven hours.
The round trip is about 7.4 miles with 3,775 feet of gain. A Black Cloud Creek approach is another option.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 7 a.m.
Turnaround
Be at the Golden Fleece Mine by 11 a.m.
Crux
Wading Echo Creek in June.
Route-finding
Easy. At the cairned junction near 11,130 feet, take the old road that switchbacks right.
Water
Echo Creek. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
LoadingFetching the forecast for 13,758'…
—Summit temp now
—Sustained wind
—Gusting to
—Freezing level
Today
—
Tomorrow
—
Day three
—
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.
From US 24 south of Leadville, take Highway 82 west toward Twin Lakes roughly 12.5 miles, then turn right on an unmarked dirt road; slow down, it's easy to miss. Parking for two cars is on the left within 100 yards.
A 4WD can go about 150 yards farther up the old road to a pull-off with room for a couple more.
Trail in the treesRoadTundraRidgeExposed 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
Echo Canyon trailhead 9,990' · 0 mi
Walk up the old road to the north.
2
Creek crossing 10,200' · 0.5 mi
Turn right at a stream crossing about 0.3 mile up. Near an old concrete foundation, the trail crosses Echo Creek; a log about 100 feet upstream may help.
Watch for: Likely a wade in June.
3
Old road 10,600' · 1 mi
Stay on the east side of the creek; the trail rejoins the old mining road.
4
Junction 11,130' · 1.5 mi
At a cairned junction, take the road switchbacking up to the right; the creek trail goes to a basin below Casco Peak.
5
Last Chance Mine 11,640' · 2.4 mi
Keep climbing the switchbacks past a mine shack. Casco Peak is in view.
6
Golden Fleece Mine 12,700' · 3.3 mi
The road ends just above the mine.
7
Summit 13,761' · 3.7 mi
Climb a steeper rocky slope to the south ridge, then walk easy grass north to the top.
Getting down
Return the same way; a few scree slopes let you cut the switchbacks.
If things go wrong
The road is always close.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above the Golden Fleece Mine the route is trailless. 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.