Overview
UN 13,457 is a remote central Sawatch summit above the upper Lincoln Creek valley south of Grizzly Reservoir. Don't mix it up with UN 13,440 near Sayres Benchmark, which once carried the same height.
From the old Ruby mine site you climb through open conifers onto the west flank, then tundra that turns to rubble, to a low point on the north ridge. The last 0.6 mile follows the ridge over broken rock. It is Class 2.
The round trip is about 3.2 miles with 2,060 feet of gain from Ruby, if the road gate past Portal Campground is open. If not, add about 8 miles and 900 feet. A long, harder ridge links it to Red Mountain, Garfield and Grizzly.
Plan of the day
By 7:30 a.m.
Be on the north ridge by 11 a.m.
Loose rubble.
Easy. Aim for the ridge low point just south of Point 13,060.
Lincoln Creek and side streams. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Lincoln Gulch
From Aspen, drive east on Highway 82 toward Independence Pass. About a mile past the Grottos trailhead, turn right at an information kiosk onto the Lincoln Creek road, which crosses the Roaring Fork right away. From the east, it's just under 4 miles below Lost Man Campground on the west side of the pass.
Cars should park at the kiosk or at Lincoln Gulch Campground. With a high-clearance 4WD, take the Grizzly Reservoir road, which branches left just before the campground. It is slow going over potholes and rock slabs: about 6 miles and more than half an hour to Grizzly Reservoir and the small Portal Campground (about 10,570 feet; toilets, first come, first served). The first 3 miles have 22 numbered campsites with bear lockers.
A gate just past Portal Campground is often locked until early July and may close again in fall; there is private land up the valley. When it's open, a high-clearance 4WD can go on toward the old Ruby Mine. Otherwise, walk or bike the road; a bike makes the ride back much faster.
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
Lincoln 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 →