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 Slope
Overview
Mount Helen is the lower peak east of Father Dyer, rising straight above Spruce Creek south of Breckenridge. This route leaves the Wheeler Trail and climbs straight up the forest and grassy east slope to the summit.
It is Class 2 but it has no trail above 11,200 feet. Finding the way through the trees to a steep gully is the main challenge. Above treeline it is a long, steady grass climb with easy talus at the top.
The round trip is about 5 miles with 2,700 feet of gain, usually 4 to 6 hours. It is steep and direct, a good workout with big views of the Tenmile peaks.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6:30 a.m.
Turnaround
If you are not above treeline by 10 a.m., turn around.
Crux
Finding your way through the forest to the narrow gully between 11,300 and 11,500 feet.
Route-finding
No trail after the Wheeler Trail. Head west, then straight west up through the trees until you find the gully. Mark where you left the trail.
Water
A small stream runs down the gully through midsummer. Filter it.
From the south end of Breckenridge, drive about 2 miles south on Highway 9 and turn right on Spruce Creek Road. Keep right up a hill, then turn left and continue about a mile to the lower Spruce Creek trailhead at 10,400 feet. Any car can reach it.
RoadTrail in the treesTundraTalus and screeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Spruce Creek trailhead 10,400' · 0 mi
Walk up the Spruce Creek road past the turnoff to Crystal Creek.
2
Aqueduct road 10,700' · 1 mi
Turn right onto the Aqueduct road, go through the gate and walk about 50 yards to where the Wheeler Trail enters the forest on the left. A small sign marks it.
3
Leave the Wheeler Trail 10,800' · 1.1 mi
Follow the trail about 100 yards to where it starts up a small hill. Leave it here, turning left, and climb west-southwest up a short slope through the trees.
Watch for: Note this spot well. You need to find it on the way down.
4
Through the forest 11,200' · 1.5 mi
Keep heading straight west through the trees. Near 11,200 feet the ground levels out and there are small clearings.
5
Steep gully 11,500' · 1.7 mi
Find the narrow gully cutting through the trees and climb it from about 11,300 to 11,500 feet. At the top, angle right into a clearing.
Watch for: Steep but easy. A small stream may run in it.
6
Treeline 11,600' · 1.8 mi
Leave the trees. Look for a wide gully in the middle of the east slope. It often holds snow into July.
7
East slope 12,600' · 2.2 mi
Climb up or beside the wide gully and keep heading west on grass.
8
Summit 13,186' · 2.5 mi
The last few hundred feet are easy talus. The top has a big view of the Tenmile peaks.
Getting down
Go back down the east slope. Below treeline, find the narrow gully and follow it down, then keep heading east through the forest to the Wheeler Trail. If you miss the trail, the Aqueduct road is just below it.
If things go wrong
Head back down the slope and east through the trees. The Wheeler Trail and the roads below it cross your whole way out, so heading downhill and east will reach one.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above 11,200 feet this route has no trail at all. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
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.