Is it right for you?
Overlook Point sits at the north end of Lime Mesa, above Ruby Lake and Chicago Basin. It used to be counted as Colorado's highest 12er, until lidar added seven feet and made it a ranked 13er. The top looks down Needle Creek to the three Chicago Basin 14ers, with Pigeon, Turret and Peak Fifteen nearby.
You hike the Lime Mesa Trail north across open forest, meadows and wildflower tundra, past Dollar Lake, to where the mesa drops off toward Ruby Lake. Then you turn left and follow the ridge northwest over a small point and a saddle to the top. It is an easy Class 2 hike on a clear trail and tundra.
The round trip is about 9.5 miles with 1,550 feet of gain. UN 12,748 is about 0.8 mile farther northwest and easy to add, and you can cut back southeast across Overlook's south slopes to the trail.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the Ruby Lake viewpoint by 11 a.m.
None to speak of; just the distance.
Easy. Stay on the Lime Mesa Trail to the drop-off, then follow the ridge, keeping away from the cliff edge.
Dollar Lake and small tarns on the mesa. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,005'…—
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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
Lime Mesa
The trailhead is reached from Forest Road 682 (Missionary Ridge Road), which leaves County Road 250 (East Animas Road) on the east side of the Animas valley north of Durango. Three ways reach that junction. From the north on US 550, about 8 miles south of the Electra Lake turnoff and just before Pinkerton Hot Springs, turn east on CR 250, cross the river at Baker's Bridge, and follow CR 250 south about 3.5 miles, going right at a T. Or turn east from US 550 on Trimble Lane (CR 252), cross the river, and go north on CR 250 about 3.75 miles. From Durango, take East 32nd Street east 1.5 miles across the river and go north on CR 250 about 10.7 miles.
Forest Road 682 is graded gravel. It climbs 11 switchbacks, then runs through the old Missionary Ridge burn area. After 17.5 miles, turn right on Forest Road 081 toward Henderson Lake. The road passes Henderson Lake and goes about 5 miles to the trailhead, where a split-rail fence marks the parking. The last 2 miles are rough and potholed; you need high clearance, and 4WD is recommended. Plan on more than 1.5 hours of driving.
There are a few campsites at Henderson Lake, a popular fishing spot, and more primitive spots along Forest Road 081 and near the trailhead. The farther past the lake you go, the better your chances of an open spot.
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
Lime Mesa. 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 →