Summit FeverCOLORADO Sign in
Tenmile Range · Colorado 13er · No. 433 of the 13ers

East Ridge from the Ski Area

Peak 9, 13,207'

DifficultyClass 2 Intermediate or
Round trip5 mi
Elevation gain1,800'
TrailheadBreckenridge Ski Area (Peak 9)
Trailhead elevation11,200'

Conditions on the summit

Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,207'…
—Summit temp now
—Sustained wind
—Gusting to
—Freezing level
Today

—

Tomorrow

—

Day three

—

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.

Colorado 13er · East Ridge from the Ski Area

Overview

Peak 9 stands right above the Breckenridge ski area. This route shares the start of the Peak 10 route: from the top of the Peak 9 ski area, walk the service road above treeline, then leave it and follow Peak 9's broad east ridge to the summit.

It is Class 2 on grass and rocks with no trail on the ridge. The ridge is gentle at first and steeper higher up, with a rounded false summit just before the real one.

The round trip is about 5 miles with 1,800 feet of gain, usually 3 to 4 hours. It is a good first 13er, and many people add Peak 10 along the connecting ridge.

Plan of the day

Start by

By 7 a.m. Short day, but still watch for afternoon storms.

Turnaround

Be off the ridge by noon.

Crux

Nothing hard. The ridge steepens above 12,500 feet.

Route-finding

Follow the road to the Wheeler Trail junction, then walk west up the ridge. No trail, but the ridge leads straight to the top.

Water

None on the ridge. Carry what you need.

Getting to the trailhead

Trailhead

Breckenridge Ski Area (Peak 9)

Find it on a map

Use the same drive as for Peak 10: from Beaver Run in south Breckenridge, follow County Road 751 up through the Peak 9 ski area to the highest lifts, about 3.6 miles up. The road beyond is rough 4WD.

Where to sleep

Base towns and camping for this climb

Breckenridge & Blue River About 4 mi away as the crow flies · 2 campgrounds listed · free camping: McCullough Gulch designated sites Lodging & camping → Fairplay & Alma About 12 mi away as the crow flies · 2 campgrounds listed · free camping: Fourmile Creek Road (County Road 18) Lodging & camping →

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

Breckenridge Ski Area (Peak 9). 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 →

Less traffic, less margin

This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.