Is it right for you?
Jenkins Mountain rises north of Taylor Park Reservoir. On its own it's a Class 2 climb of 2.5 to 3 hours on an old mine road, forest and a tundra ridge.
The Pieplant Mill site is a long drive from anywhere, but it's a pleasant place to camp, with deer in the meadow.
The round trip is about 6.4 miles with 3,150 feet of gain. Pieplant loop: Jenkins, UN 13,145 and Grizzly Peak make a rough loop of about 9.15 miles and 4,810 feet.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the south ridge by 10:30 a.m.
Nothing hard.
Moderate. Past the mine, head up the seasonal drainage and angle onto the south ridge.
Streams low on the route. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,440'…—
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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
Pieplant
From Gunnison, drive north on Highway 135 to Almont and turn right on Forest Road 742 up the Taylor River to Taylor Park Reservoir. At the southeast corner of the reservoir, keep north on 742 along the east side about 6.5 miles to the Pieplant Cow Camp. (From Buena Vista over Cottonwood Pass, take County Road 209 down to 742, turn right, and go about 4.35 miles.)
Turn right on Forest Road 742.3D and drive 3.8 miles north, through one gate, to the old Pieplant Mill site. No 4WD is needed, but clearance helps with potholes and mud near the end. There's plenty of primitive camping at the mill site meadow.
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
Pieplant. 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 →