West-Northwest Ridge from Woodchopper Creek

Overview

UN 13,038 rises west of St. Elmo, above Woodchopper Creek on the Tincup Pass road. It's a nice, easy hike with typical Sawatch views.

An old, faint trail climbs the west side of Woodchopper Creek to an open ridge with views south, then through forest with deadfall to a bench at treeline. You cross the creek to a small tarn and climb tundra that turns steep, rocky and very loose near the west-northwest ridge. A short boulder stretch leads to a gentle tundra ridge and a big flat summit. It's Class 2.

The loop is about 4.8 miles with 2,240 feet of gain. Older kids can handle it.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

From US 285 south of Buena Vista, drive County Road 162 west past Mount Princeton Hot Springs to St. Elmo. Turn off into town rather than staying on the main road, which continues south as County Road 295. In town, turn right on the main street over the North Fork of Chalk Creek, then right away turn left on the Tincup Pass road (Forest Road 267).

The road is rocky but fine for most SUVs; its bad name comes from the upper part near the pass. A 4WD isn't needed, but clearance helps. Drive 3.2 miles to Woodchopper Creek. Just after you cross it, a track goes uphill on the right to a camp area where you can park. There is no sign, and the track doesn't lead to the route.

Campgrounds along County Road 162 include Bootleg (tents only, no water), Mount Princeton, Chalk Lake, Cascade and Iron City (first come, first served). Some sites can be reserved, and all fill on weekends. There are many primitive spots along the Tincup Pass road, mostly on the creek side.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Woodchopper Creek 10,810' · 0 mi

   Find the old trail at the northeast end of the meadow and follow it up the west side of the creek.

2. 2

   Open ridge 11,200' · 0.6 mi

   Reach an open ridge with wide views of the peaks to the south.

3. 3

   Treeline bench 11,700' · 1.3 mi

   Go back into the forest, deal with some deadfall, and contour toward the middle of the drainage. Climb a steep, willowy bank to a bench near treeline.

4. 4

   Tarn 11,900' · 1.6 mi

   Head north over the main creek to a little tarn below a tundra slope.

5. 5

   West-northwest ridge 12,750' · 2.1 mi

   Climb tundra and rock that get steeper and rockier as you go. It's very loose near the ridge.

   Watch for: Loose rock.

6. 6

   Summit 13,038' · 2.5 mi

   Cross some large boulders, then walk an easy tundra ridge to the broad, flat top.

Getting down

For a loop, go straight down the broad south ridge toward the trees about 1,000 feet below. Game trails lead through burned forest and old bristlecones down to the creek, passing west of the small 11,685-foot hill. Cross the creek and pick up the old trail near 11,300 feet to the meadow.

If things go wrong

Head back down to the tarn and the creek.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up UN 13,038 we list, with its class.