Is it right for you?
Antora Peak is an isolated 13er in the far south end of the Sawatch, southwest of Poncha Pass, above the old mining town of Bonanza. It's a gentle, quiet peak that few people visit.
You walk up little Kerber Creek and through open, logged forest on old logging roads, then cross-country to a broad ridge. From there it's a long tundra walk to the saddle north of the peak, then rockier slopes to the northwest ridge and a well-used path through scree to the top. It's Class 2.
The round trip is about 6.5 miles with 2,565 feet of gain. Older kids can do it. Carry the summit and car positions in a GPS; you can't see the peak from the trees.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be at the saddle north of the peak by 11:30 a.m.
Finding your way through the logged forest.
Moderate. Head west-southwest through the trees to the broad ridge off UN 12,574.
Kerber Creek low down. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,269'…—
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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
Bonanza (Forest Road 861 junction)
From Poncha Springs, take US 285 south over Poncha Pass toward Villa Grove, about 21.6 miles. Just north of Villa Grove (about 1,200 feet short of town), turn right (west) on County Road LL56. It's paved for about 5 miles, then good graded gravel 15.4 miles to Bonanza, a cluster of old cabins. Don't turn left on HH50 about 7 miles in.
Go straight through Bonanza onto Forest Road 862. About a mile past town the road forks; keep left on 862, which turns into a narrow single-lane road but isn't slow or hard. It climbs west through aspen and conifers and makes a short switchback right, then left; ignore the side road on the right at the second bend. Less than a mile later, Forest Road 861 goes sharply left and 862.2D curves right to Mosquito Lake. Park at this junction. Most vehicles with decent clearance can make it.
There are no campgrounds nearby. You can camp at primitive spots past Bonanza or at the junction, and LL56 crosses a lot of BLM land. The closest campground is O'Haver Lake (28 sites, 9,200 feet), up Forest Road 200 about 2 miles north of Poncha Pass.
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
Bonanza (Forest Road 861 junction). 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 →