Is it right for you?
Homestake Peak is a gentle summit on the Continental Divide north of Leadville, above the timberline Slide Lake. Views reach the Holy Cross peaks to the west and Mount Massive and Mount Elbert to the south.
A trail leads to the lake. From there you walk south, then southwest up a wide gully to a saddle north of the summit, through some willows low down, then tundra, then rubble to a rocky top with a rock windbreak. It is easy Class 2 and a good family hike.
The round trip is about 4 miles with 1,670 feet of gain from the 4WD trailhead. If you park where the 4WD road starts, it is about 10 miles round trip.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be at the saddle by noon.
Nothing hard.
Easy. The summit is in view from the lake.
Slide Lake. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,217'…—
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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
Slide Lake
From US 24, turn west on County Road 19 about 1.8 miles south of Tennessee Pass. Go 1 mile through a few homes to a junction and turn right, staying on County Road 19 toward the Wurtz Ditch Road (Forest Road 705). In 0.8 mile you reach a pass on the Continental Divide.
Cars stop here. With 4WD, turn left onto Forest Road 145. The first mile and a half is steep, rough and narrow, then the road gets better. It is a bit over 3 miles to the Slide Lake trailhead, which has a picnic table, a fire ring and room to camp. A 10th Mountain Division hut sits about 0.3 mile before it. There are primitive sites along Forest Road 145; the closest campgrounds are at Turquoise Lake.
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
Slide Lake. 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 →