Is it right for you?
Taylor Mountain is an easy, typical Sawatch Class 2 summit north of US 50 between Garfield and Maysville. It looks across at Tabeguache and Shavano.
From the old marble quarry you walk the road up to Taylor's broad east ridge, then head straight up tundra past old mining ruins. The slope steepens and gets rockier near 13,000 feet, and the ridge turns north to the top. Most groups summit in under two hours. Done alone, it's a great family hike.
The round trip is about 3.6 miles with 1,970 feet of gain. Mount Aetna is about 1.5 miles west along a long connecting ridge (see that page).
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be at 13,000 feet by 11 a.m.
The steeper, rockier slope above 13,000 feet.
Easy. Leave the road around 12,000 feet and head straight for the top.
None on the route. Bring all you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,655'…—
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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
Cree Creek - Taylor Mtn.
Drive US 50 between Poncha Springs and Monarch Pass. From the small town of Garfield, go 4.8 miles east; from Maysville, go 1.6 miles west of the County Road 240 junction. Turn north onto County Road 224 (about 8,515 feet). After 1.5 miles the road bends sharply left and becomes County Road 228.
Follow 228 up above Cree Creek. At about 6.5 miles, an old marble quarry sits on the right at 11,680 feet. Park here unless you have a high-clearance 4WD; with one you can drive about three-quarters of a mile more to just above 12,000 feet on Taylor Mountain's broad east ridge. Another, rougher way up starts just east of Garfield, where another branch of 228 climbs Taylor Gulch past the Garfield Mine and switchbacks to the same ridge. It is shorter but not faster.
Monarch Park Campground is south of US 50, 3.2 miles west of Garfield on County Road 233, with primitive sites near the creek crossing if it's full. There are also a few primitive spots at the quarry and near some old cabins farther up the road.
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
Cree Creek - Taylor Mtn.. 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 →