Is it right for you?
Browns Peak sits between UN 13,471 and Huron Peak. It's higher than UN 13,471, but by some counts not ranked, since it doesn't rise quite enough above its saddle with Huron.
From Lulu Gulch you climb to the saddle with UN 13,471 and walk up the east ridge to a summit of broken rock outcrops. It is Class 2. From UN 13,471 the traverse takes about 20 minutes; the ridge south to Huron is Class 2+, rockier near Point 13,518.
The round trip from the Lulu Gulch road is about 5.6 miles with 3,200 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. A loop over Middle Mountain and UN 13,471 is about 8.5 miles and 4,100 feet.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the saddle by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard.
Easy. At 11,400 feet, take the road branch that swings east into the gulch.
Lulu Gulch creek. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,526'…—
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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
South Winfield
From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, turn west on County Road 390 toward Clear Creek Reservoir (a little under 2 miles south of Granite, or just under 15 miles north of Buena Vista). Follow the graded dirt road, often washboarded, to the old town of Winfield, about 11.5 miles.
At Winfield, turn left (south) and cross the creek. Cars should park about 100 yards past the crossing, where the road gets rough. With good clearance you can drive on; no 4WD needed. Camping is best at the dispersed sites 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 →