Overview
West Apostle is the western of the Three Apostles, south of Huron Peak, and often climbed with North Apostle and Ice Mountain. It is one of the more entertaining Sawatch 13ers.
A good trail leads to a flowery meadow at the foot of a big rock glacier. You climb a steep drainage to a small tarn, take one of two parallel gullies to the west ridge, and follow tundra ledges past a small cliff band to a narrow, catwalk-like finish with light scrambling. It is Class 2+.
The round trip from the end of the South Winfield road is about 8.2 miles with 3,000 feet of gain; about 6 to 7 hours. The gullies make a great glissade when snowy.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be at the tarn by 10 a.m.
The gullies to the west ridge and the narrow summit ridge.
Moderate. Stay on the west side of the meadow and follow the western drainage to the tarn.
Clear Creek and side streams. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
South Winfield
From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, turn west on County Road 390 toward Clear Creek Reservoir. Drive about 11.7 miles on the graded dirt road to Winfield. The road narrows, gets potholed and is often washboarded near the end.
At Winfield, turn left (south), cross the creek, and follow the road about 2.25 miles to its end at a gated trailhead. Passenger cars should park soon after crossing the creek, as the road gets rough beyond. High-clearance vehicles can usually reach the end without 4WD. Parking at the end is limited because Huron Peak hikers use the same lot. There are dispersed campsites along the last two miles.
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
South Winfield. 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 →