Is it right for you?
Quail Mountain is a typical Sawatch summit above Twin Lakes, reached mostly on the Colorado Trail. It was once the proposed top of a ski area, and pairs well with Mount Hope across Hope Pass.
The trail climbs steeply out of the valley through lodgepole, then aspen and conifers, to Hope Pass. From the pass you walk east up a rubbly ridge on several paths, over a rocky point, to the top. It is Class 2, and a family managed it in 3.5 hours.
The round trip is about 6.2 miles with 3,600 feet of gain. Mount Hope, west of the pass, adds about two hours.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at Hope Pass by 10:30 a.m.
Rubble on the upper ridge.
Easy. Stay on the Colorado Trail to Hope Pass.
Sheep Gulch creek low down. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
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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
Sheep Gulch
Between Leadville and Buena Vista, leave US 24 and head west onto County Road 390, the graded dirt road toward Clear Creek Reservoir and Winfield. The turn is about 15 miles north of Buena Vista and about 4 miles south of the Highway 82 junction. Drive west about 9.25 miles. Just past some large beaver ponds, turn right onto a short road that leads to the Sheep Gulch trailhead parking.
The road is fine for passenger cars, though it can be washboarded. The lot sits in lodgepole forest and holds several cars. If you reach the turnoff for Rockdale, you went about half a mile too far. There are primitive campsites along CR 390, but spots go fast on weekends.
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
Sheep Gulch. 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 →