Is it right for you?
UN 13,150 is the rocky high point just south of unranked Sewanee Peak, above the South Arkansas River's North Fork. It can also be reached on foot from Hancock, south of St. Elmo, without a 4WD.
From the reservoir an informal trail leads up a side creek to a pretty meadow, then tundra climbs into an upper basin with a small lake. A short, steep, rocky pitch reaches a saddle, and a slow ridge walk over boulders leads to the top. It is Class 2, but very rocky, so it suits older kids more than young ones.
The round trip is about 4.2 miles with 1,740 feet of gain. Most people are done by lunch.
Plan of the day
By 7:30 a.m.
Be at the saddle by 11 a.m.
Boulders on the summit ridge.
Easy. Follow the creek that flows into the reservoir from the south.
The side creek and small lake. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,150'…—
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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
North Fork Reservoir
From Poncha Springs, where US 285 meets US 50, drive west about 6.6 miles on US 50 to Maysville and turn north on County Road 240 (it becomes Forest Road 240). It's easy driving on pavement as far as Angel of Shavano Campground and the Colorado Trail crossing. After that the road turns slow and rocky. Maps call the next 1.3 miles fine for cars, but don't count on it; bring a 4WD with good clearance.
It is 4.7 miles from Angel of Shavano to the old Shavano townsite, where a disused trail heads up Cyclone Creek, then 2.25 miles more to the small North Fork Reservoir Campground (about 8 sites, around 11,470 feet), which sits east of the water. This page uses the campground as the trailhead. A 4WD can go on up the road toward Billings Lake.
Both campgrounds are small and fill on weekends; there are primitive sites along the road between them.
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
North Fork Reservoir. 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 →