Is it right for you?
West Tellurium is the lower partner of Tellurium Peak at the head of Tellurium Creek, north of Taylor Park. Alone it is a simple, direct Class 2 climb; most people tie it to Tellurium.
From Tellurium's summit, follow the west ridge southwest over rocky but fair ground. A few outcrops need care and slow you a little. From the saddle east of West Tellurium, it is under half an hour of easy scrambling on loose rock and tundra to the top, with a fine view of the Lincoln Creek peaks and the Elk Mountains.
The full loop is about 8.1 miles with 2,645 feet of gain. From Tellurium it is about 1.3 miles and 745 feet one way.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on Tellurium by 10:30 a.m.
A few rocky outcrops on the ridge.
Moderate. The ridge is easy to see from Tellurium's top.
Beaver ponds and the creek near camp. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,078'…—
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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
Tellurium Creek
From Gunnison, take Highway 135 north 17.4 miles to Almont and turn right on Forest Road 742 toward Taylor Park Reservoir. It's paved the 16.7 miles up to the Trading Post in Taylor Park. Turn left (north) there and keep on 742, now graded gravel, up the east side of the reservoir for 14.9 miles to Forest Road 584 on the right. If you reach Dorchester Campground, you are about a mile past it. From Buena Vista, drive County Road 306 west over Cottonwood Pass; on the far side it becomes County Road 209 and drops to the reservoir, where you turn right on 742.
Forest Road 584 climbs up Tellurium Creek and needs a true 4WD with good clearance. Cars should stop at the bottom. The first 1.5 miles are the worst, mostly loose rock; higher up the grade eases and there are smoother flat stretches. Plan on about 45 minutes for the 5 miles to a primitive camp beside a stand of tall conifers on the south side of the road, a little below some beaver ponds (about 11,400 feet). This camp is the trailhead.
Dorchester, Dinner Station, River's End and Lakeview campgrounds are along the way, and there are many primitive sites, including one about 3 miles up Tellurium Creek. The only other way in is the Lincoln Creek road to Grizzly Reservoir from Highway 82, which also takes 4WD.
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
Tellurium 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 →