Is it right for you?
Henry Mountain is a remote Class 2 peak right in the middle of the Fossil Ridge Wilderness, a separate corner of the Sawatch best reached from Gunnison. The area is gentle and full of wildlife, and Lamphier Lake on the way is very photogenic.
A rocky old roadbed leads to Lamphier Lake. From the lake's west end you climb a steep, rocky gully to the ridge west of Gunsight Pass, contour on a faint path around the north side of Square Top Mountain, and walk tundra to Henry. Only the top is rocky.
The loop is about 10.5 miles with 3,775 feet of gain, using a different way down over Square Top, Fossil Mountain and Sheep Mountain. Returning the way you came is a bit shorter. Mileage and gain are our estimates.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be at the saddle south of Henry by 11 a.m.
The steep, rocky gully above Lamphier Lake.
Moderate. Skip the rugged ridge from Gunsight Pass and use the gully at the west end instead.
Lamphier Creek and Lamphier Lake. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,272'…—
—
—
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
Gold Creek
From Gunnison, drive 11.7 miles east on US 50 to Parlin (from Poncha Springs it's 48.5 miles west over Monarch Pass). Turn north on County Road 76 and drive 8.7 miles up a wide, green valley to Ohio City.
Two roads leave Ohio City heading north; take the second one, County Road/Forest Road 771. It's fast, well-kept gravel for most of its 8.25 miles. The last 2 miles need slower, careful driving, but not high clearance; crossover SUVs do fine. At the road's end, the small Gold Creek campground sits west of Lamphier Creek. Cross the creek and turn left right away into a parking area in the trees with a kiosk. That's the trailhead.
Gold Creek campground has only 4 or 5 sites, an old toilet, picnic tables and fire rings. There's no water; use the creek and filter it. If it's full, there are primitive spots along the last half mile of road. Comanche campground, about 2 miles north of Ohio City, is another small option.
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
Gold Creek. 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 →