Is it right for you?
UN 13,239 is a typical Sawatch Class 2 summit west of Winfield, with La Plata Peak towering to the north.
From the old road, a steep, open grass slope climbs 1,400 feet to little Alan Lake in its bowl. Then tundra and scree lead to a ridge north of the summit, with one short loose spot, and broken rock to the top.
The round trip is about 4.5 miles with 2,450 feet of gain from the wilderness boundary, which a high-clearance 4WD can reach about a mile past Grey Copper Creek.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at Alan Lake by 10 a.m.
A short loose section below the ridge.
Easy. Start up before the creek that drains Alan Lake.
The Alan Lake creek. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,239'…—
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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
West Winfield
Take County Road 390 about 11.3 miles to Winfield (turn west off US 24 about 20 miles south of Leadville or 14.5 miles north of Buena Vista). Where the main road bends left, turn right onto the 4WD road with signs for La Plata Peak and the Continental Divide Trail.
Cars should park near Winfield. The road passes the Winfield cemetery at 0.4 mile, then parking areas on both sides. A clearing at about 1.2 miles is a good place to park for Blaurock and Ervin; the road crosses Grey Copper Creek soon after. Higher up, the road reaches the wilderness 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
West Winfield. 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 →