Sawatch Range · Colorado 13er · No. 239 of the 13ers
North Ridge over Mount Jackson
UN 13,443, 13,443'
DifficultyClass 2
Round trip16.3 mi
Elevation gain5,200'
TrailheadBeaver Creek Ski Area
Trailhead elevation10,200'
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.
Colorado 13er · North Ridge over Mount Jackson
Overview
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
Start by
At first light from a camp above Waterdog Lake.
Turnaround
Be on Jackson by 11 a.m., and leave time to catch the lift.
Crux
Length, and the narrow rocky stretch below Jackson.
Route-finding
Moderate. From the saddle west of Grouse Mountain, follow the ridge southwest.
Water
Little on the ridge. Carry plenty; Waterdog Lake is below the camp. Filter it.
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.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeTalus and screeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Spruce Saddle Lodge 10,200' · 0 mi
Walk up under the Cinch Express lift to the top of the ski area.
Watch for: About an hour.
2
Top of the ski area 11,440' · 1.5 mi
Just west of the lift station, follow a dirt road to a microwave station, then a faint path with cairns south through the trees. Wilderness stakes mark a clearing near 11,560 feet.
3
Camp above Waterdog Lake 12,000' · 3 mi
Leave the trees and walk south along the tundra crest. Past Point 12,161, the ridge drops; grassy spots near 12,000 feet, about 400 feet above the lake, make a good camp.
4
Forested saddle 11,540' · 3.4 mi
Drop to the saddle in the trees and climb south up the ridge.
5
Grouse Mountain saddle 12,200' · 4.8 mi
Contour across the grassy west slope of Grouse Mountain on elk paths to the saddle west-southwest of it. Watch for a big elk herd.
6
Boulder field 12,900' · 5.6 mi
Climb southwest up the ridge. Tundra turns to boulders for about half a mile, then back to tundra.
7
Mount Jackson 13,675' · 7.5 mi
Pass Point 13,202 and keep southwest, then south. A 100-yard narrow, rocky section has big blocks; stay on top where you can. Cross a small saddle and finish on broken rock.
Watch for: Slightly exposed.
8
Summit 13,443' · 8.15 mi
Walk the ridge south, down about 650 feet to a saddle and back up about 410 feet on tundra, rock and some boulders.
Getting down
Go back over Jackson and north along the main ridge to the ski area. Keep moving so you reach the lift before it closes.
If things go wrong
The ridge north is the only practical way out.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above the ski area the route follows faint paths and trailless ridges. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.