Is it right for you?
Fairview Peak is an isolated, easy Class 1 summit above Pitkin. The hard part is finding your way through the maze of roads to the start. On top is a stone building from 1912 that was a fire lookout until lightning hit it too often; it is being restored with a wooden upper story.
From the parking spot you walk up Terrible Mountain Road to the Fairview Mine ruins, then follow an old roadbed along a wide ridge on the east side of Terrible Mountain with little gain. A cairned path climbs the south ridge, first on tundra, then broken talus, to the top.
The round trip is about 6 miles with 1,800 feet of gain and often takes only 2 to 3 hours. That leaves time to drive to Cumberland Pass and add Fitzpatrick Peak the same day.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be at the base of the south ridge by 11 a.m.
Getting to the trailhead.
Easy on foot. Driving in is the tricky part.
None. Carry all you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,224'…—
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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
Fairview Peak South Ridge
Both ways in are confusing because of new private home sites and roads above Pitkin. From Gunnison, drive 11.7 miles east on US 50 to Parlin, turn north on County Road 76, and drive through Ohio City and 6 more miles to Pitkin.
Pitkin route: At the west end of town, turn left at a sign for Quartz Creek Properties (it also points to the cemetery; don't go in). Climb past Soul's Ease Road, bear left on Grasshopper Road, and pass the Skeleton Gulch and Chicago Park roads. Grasshopper Road turns into Highline Drive. Stay on it to Terrible Mountain Road. The parking spot for most cars is just before that, at a Y junction. A recent report says cars may struggle to reach the Y, so use a higher-clearance vehicle. A high-clearance 4WD can go on up Terrible Mountain Road to the Fairview Mine ruins or to a spot at 12,130 feet. This is private land all around, so don't camp here.
Halls Gulch route: Drive north from Pitkin on good gravel past the Quartz Creek campground. Less than a mile beyond it, turn left (west) on Forest Road 766 up Halls Gulch. The first 2 miles are fine for cars; after that, take a higher-clearance vehicle. The road splits many times, with new private roads too. The aim is to climb the gulch's west side to the ridge above: Forest Road 766.1A switchbacks up, becomes 770.1A, then 770, and reaches the same parking spot. Wrong turns are easy, and at least one car was damaged here. Quartz Creek campground is the best place to camp.
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
Fairview Peak South Ridge. 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 →