Is it right for you?
UN 13,221 is a blocky summit in the Sawatch east of Ruedi Reservoir and the Fryingpan River, with Mount Oklahoma to the east. New mapping added a few feet; it was once listed as UN 13,212. It pairs well with Wayah Peak to the south.
You follow a closed, fading trail up Marten Creek, with a nasty willow stretch, then climb a long, steep, but easy grass slope to the saddle south of the summit. A rocky ramp on the west side leads to the summit blocks. Route-finding on the creek is the hard part; the summit is Class 2+.
The round trip is about 7 miles with 3,225 feet of gain. Adding Wayah Peak makes it about 8.05 miles and 3,610 feet.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
The summit blocks and the willows on Marten Creek.
Hard. The old trail is faint and lost in willows; expect about an hour of bushwhacking each way.
Marten Creek. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,221'…—
—
—
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
Lilypad Lake / Fryingpan Lakes
Get to Basalt on Highway 82 and take the main exit (with a traffic light) into town. Follow Midland Avenue through downtown; it becomes the Fryingpan River Road and heads east to Ruedi Reservoir. The paved road is winding and narrow, so take it slow.
After the road crosses the river at the reservoir's east end, go 4.1 miles to the Forest Road 501 turnoff and keep straight on the pavement, then pass the Chapman Reservoir turnoff. About 4 miles later, at a fork, go right on Forest Road 505 (left goes toward Hagerman Pass). The gravel road runs about 6.6 miles along the mountainside to a dead end at a stream gauging station, the trailhead for Lilypad Lake and the Fryingpan Lakes.
Cars can make it, but a little extra clearance is nice. Chapman Campground (78 sites, water, toilets, some reservable) is the nearest; it's close to an hour from Basalt. You can car camp at the trailhead, but there are no toilets and few good spots along Forest Road 505.
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
Lilypad Lake / Fryingpan Lakes. 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 →