Is it right for you?
UN 13,443 sits about 0.65 mile south of Mount Jackson in the northern Sawatch, a long way from any road. It is almost always climbed together with Jackson.
The shortest way rides a lift up Beaver Creek, follows the ski area to its top, then a long tundra ridge south past Waterdog Lake and across the west side of Grouse Mountain, through a boulder field, to Jackson. From Jackson you drop 650 feet and climb about 400 to this summit. It is Class 2, with one short, narrow, slightly exposed bit below Jackson.
The round trip from the top of the lift is about 16.3 miles with about 5,200 feet of gain. Most people make it an overnight backpack, camping on the ridge above Waterdog Lake. Allow about an hour for the side trip from Jackson.
Plan of the day
At first light from a camp above Waterdog Lake.
Be on Jackson by 11 a.m., and leave time to catch the lift.
Length, and the narrow rocky stretch below Jackson.
Moderate. From the saddle west of Grouse Mountain, follow the ridge southwest.
Little on the ridge. Carry plenty; Waterdog Lake is below the camp. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,443'…—
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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
Beaver Creek Ski Area
Leave I-70 at the main Avon exit and head south, going through each traffic circle in turn. At the last one, turn west on old Highway 6 a short way to the big ski area parking lot. Ask the ski area or local police ahead of time whether you can leave a car overnight; there is no handy camping around Avon.
Ride the shuttle bus to the base of Beaver Creek and buy whatever lift ticket gets you highest, in the past the lift to Spruce Saddle Lodge (about 10,200 feet). The lift saves about 2 miles and 2,000 feet each way. Lift schedules, prices and passes change, so check if the lift runs in summer, when it closes (around 4 p.m. in the past), and whether a ticket is good for the next day too.
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
Beaver Creek Ski Area. 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 →