Is it right for you?
Lake Fork Peak is a typical Class 2 Sawatch summit at the head of Sayres Gulch, overlooking Taylor Park and Red Mountain Creek.
From the wilderness boundary you follow an old road-trail, then climb pleasant tundra and grass benches to the south ridge and walk north to the top. Elk are common.
The round trip is about 5.5 miles with 2,325 feet of gain from the wilderness boundary, which takes a high-clearance 4WD. UN 13,305 is about two slow ridge miles southeast.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the south ridge by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard.
Moderate. Contour southwest on benches rather than going to the ponds.
Sayres Gulch creek. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,333'…—
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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
Sayres Gulch
From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, take Highway 82 west past Twin Lakes about 14.5 miles and turn left (south) on the South Fork Lake Creek road (Forest Road 391), at the La Plata Peak trailhead. From Aspen, it's about 4.5 miles below the last switchback on the east side of Independence Pass.
Continue on Forest Road 391 past the South Fork Lake Creek parking to the Sayres Gulch fork, about 2.7 miles from the highway, and turn right on Forest Road 382.
A high-clearance 4WD can drive about 1.75 miles up the gulch to an open meadow at the wilderness boundary; a few rough spots come near the end. Otherwise park where you're comfortable and walk. There's a good primitive camp spot shortly before the boundary.
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
Sayres 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 →