Is it right for you?
Middle Mountain is a low 13er in the upper South Fork of Lake Creek. On its own it's a family-friendly Class 2 hike if you can drive to the end of the road.
You walk the old road into the basin, cross to a pasture-like bench of small tarns below the cliffs linking Middle Mountain and UN 13,457, and climb grass to the low point of the southwest ridge. The ridge is rockier, with a little scrambling around rocks at the top.
The round trip is about 5.5 miles with 1,900 feet of gain. Mileage and gain are our estimates. Booby Prize, Prize Benchmark and Middle Mountain make a loop from the upper South Fork of Lake Creek: about 9.85 miles and 3,850 feet. Elk love this basin.
Plan of the day
By 7:30 a.m.
Be on the ridge by 11 a.m.
Rocks at the summit.
Easy. Head for the low point of the southwest ridge.
The South Fork and side streams. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,108'…—
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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
South Fork Lake Creek
From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, take Highway 82 west past Twin Lakes about 14.5 miles and turn left (south) on the South Fork Lake Creek road (Forest Road 391), at the La Plata Peak trailhead. From Aspen, it's about 4.5 miles below the last switchback on the east side of Independence Pass.
Cross the bridge over the Lake Creek gorge and follow Forest Road 391 through private land. Stay on 391 past the Sayres Gulch fork (about 2.7 miles), the McNasser Gulch road (0.6 mile farther) and the Peekaboo Gulch turnoff (1.3 miles farther). There are private cabins near Peekaboo Creek; don't camp near them.
It's about 1.2 more miles to the trailhead at the wilderness boundary. High clearance helps, especially on the last rough stretch, and the Forest Service may close the road lower down.
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
South Fork Lake Creek. 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 →