Is it right for you?
Williams Benchmark is the southern summit of the Williams Mountains, west of South Fork Pass.
From the pass, open, flowery slopes climb the broad east ridge of Point 13,180. You contour south into a tundra basin and climb to the ridge just south of the summit. It is Class 2. From UN 13,204 to the north, the ridge traverse is long and slow, with Class 2+ problems you can bypass on the south side; from UN 13,039 to the south, it's an easy Class 2 walk.
The round trip from the Lost Man trailhead is about 11.5 miles with 2,600 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. Many people backpack to South Fork Pass or Deadman Gulch and climb several of the Williams Mountains over two or three days.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be in the basin east of the summit by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard on this line.
Moderate. Don't drop too low when contouring across the ridge from Point 13,180.
Lost Man Creek, Deadman Gulch and small streams. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,321'…—
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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
Lost Man
The Lost Man trailhead is on Highway 82 about 14 miles east of Aspen, on the west side of Independence Pass, across the highway from Lost Man Campground. From the east, it's about 5.5 miles below the top of the pass.
The paved road is fine for any car. The highway over the pass is closed in winter, usually from early November to late May.
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
Lost Man. 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 →