Is it right for you?
Mascot Peak is the rocky 13er just south of Mount Yale, west of Buena Vista. It has no easy 13er neighbors, but it pairs well with Yale.
You use the Mount Yale trail up to about 12,700 feet, then make a long traverse east across Yale's south face to the Yale-Mascot saddle and walk the ridge south. The traverse crosses several gullies and some boulder talus. It's Class 2+. Bighorn sheep like this area.
The round trip is about 8 miles with 3,515 feet of gain. To add Yale, walk north from Mascot up Yale's south ridge, which is slow over big boulders, and descend the Yale trail.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
Crossing gullies and talus on the traverse.
Moderate. Hold your height on the traverse and look ahead for gully crossings.
Denny and Delaney creeks low down. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,437'…—
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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
Denny Creek
From US 24 in the middle of Buena Vista, turn west on the road to Cottonwood Pass, County Road 306. Drive about 12 miles. The Denny Creek Trailhead is a paved lot on the right side of the road.
The road is paved the whole way, so any car can make it. The lot fills on summer weekends, so get there early. The route enters the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, so wilderness rules on group size, camping and dogs apply.
If the lot is full, there are two more paved lots on both sides of the road about 0.8 mile farther west. Collegiate Peaks Campground, a mile east, is the closest campground. From Taylor Park, you can come over Cottonwood Pass on County Road 209; the trailhead is about 6 miles down the east side.
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
Denny Creek. 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 →