Is it right for you?
Fancy Peak is a rocky summit north of Fancy Pass in the Holy Cross Wilderness. It looks down on the Mulhall Lakes, across to Whitney Peak and Holy Cross Ridge, and west to the rugged peaks around the Strawberry Lakes.
A good trail climbs about 3 miles to Fancy Lake, past a narrow gorge with a loud waterfall, then goes up a rocky drainage with old mine debris and a few easy slabs to Fancy Pass. From the pass, a faint path stays a bit west of and below the crest to get around a rock outcrop, then you follow the rocky ridge north to the top. It is Class 2.
The round trip is about 8.25 miles with 3,170 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at Fancy Pass by 10:30 a.m.
Rocky ground on the ridge.
Easy. At the pass, use the faint path on the west side to skirt the outcrop.
Fancy Creek and Fancy Lake. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,176'…—
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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
Missouri Lakes - Fancy Lake
Homestake Road (Forest Road 703) leaves US 24 on the west side at an S-curve between Leadville and Minturn. From Leadville, go north over Tennessee Pass; the turn is 10.9 miles past the Ski Cooper road. From Minturn, climb past Gilman, drop toward Red Cliff, and look for the turn about 3 miles past the big arch bridge at the Red Cliff junction.
Follow 703 about 7 miles to Gold Park Campground (12 fee sites, a vault toilet, no water). There are many free roadside sites on the way, plus one big enough for trailers near the information kiosk 0.3 mile in. About a mile past the campground, turn right at a signed junction onto Forest Road 704 and switchback 2.1 miles up to the shared Missouri Lakes and Fancy Lake trailhead. Skip the Holy Cross City road (Forest Road 759); it is for serious 4WD only.
Any car can make it, though parts are washboard. The trailhead has a vault toilet, and you'll find more primitive sites in the last mile and along the aqueduct road. Busy on summer weekends.
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
Missouri Lakes - Fancy 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 →