South Ridge from Marshall Pass

Overview

Chipeta Mountain is a remote Class 2 summit north of Marshall Pass, looking down into the upper end of Little Cochetopa Creek. On the USGS map the name is printed next to Point 12,850, but it is now used for the higher summit just north. Lidar added 23 feet to its height. Elk and bighorn sheep are often seen.

From the pass you climb the broad, open south ridge of Point 12,685, mostly on grass and tundra with a trail higher up. Then you follow the crest north over small rises and saddles, past Point 12,850, to the rocky final slope. It is Class 2 with no exposure. A simpler option follows the Continental Divide/Colorado Trail north until you are west of Point 12,850, then climbs its west slopes.

The round trip is about 8 miles with 5,075 feet of gain. Plan on about four hours up; the return over the long ridge isn't much faster. Mount Ouray, east of Point 12,685, adds about 3 miles.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

From Gunnison, drive east on US 50 to Sargents and turn right (southeast) onto the Marshall Pass road (County Road 243, later Forest Road 243). Keep right at a big junction about 5 miles in. The pass is about 16.5 miles from the highway.

From Poncha Springs, drive south on US 285 and turn right (southwest) at Mears Junction onto County Road 200. If you reach the top of Poncha Pass, go back about 2.4 miles. About 2.4 miles in, turn right, then turn right again at a four-way junction less than a mile later, and stay on 200 past O'Haver Lake to the pass, a little over 14 miles. Both roads follow old railroad grades and are fine for cars.

Park in the large lot less than 0.2 mile below the pass on the east side, where the road curves. Continental Divide and Colorado Trail hikers and ATV riders use it. There's primitive camping around the pass and a fee campground at O'Haver Lake.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Marshall Pass 10,840' · 0 mi

   Walk north along the road until it turns east. Then take the trail, or head north through meadows and open forest.

2. 2

   South ridge 11,500' · 1 mi

   Stay toward the east side of the broad south ridge of Point 12,685 to avoid thick trees. A short road nearby leads to a private cabin.

   Watch for: Private cabin. Stay clear.

3. 3

   Ridge crest 12,000' · 1.8 mi

   Reach the ridge where it narrows south of Point 12,685. A trail runs up it, mostly on the west side, swinging east once to avoid some rocks.

4. 4

   Point 12,685 12,685' · 2.4 mi

   The trail tops the point and turns east toward Mount Ouray. Go north instead. Don't contour the west side; it's a slow boulder field.

5. 5

   Point 12,850 12,850' · 3.3 mi

   Follow the crest north over two small rises and three small saddles on tundra and embedded rock.

6. 6

   Last saddle 12,650' · 3.6 mi

   Drop about 200 feet.

7. 7

   Chipeta Mountain 13,495' · 4 mi

   Walk up mostly rocky rubble to the top.

Getting down

Return over the ridge, or drop west from near Point 12,850 to the Continental Divide/Colorado Trail and walk it back south.

If things go wrong

If storms come, drop west off the ridge to the Continental Divide/Colorado Trail.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Chipeta Mountain we list, with its class.

• Chipeta Mountain South Ridge this routeClass 2 8 mi