Is it right for you?
UN 13,002 rose into the 13ers after new lidar measurements. It sits deep in the Holy Cross Wilderness above the chain of Carter Creek lakes, looking down on Lime Creek and the Strawberry Lakes, with Ribbed Peak to the north.
You hike the Savage Lakes trail, drop to Carter Lake, and follow a faint, overgrown trail up the creek past five lakes. From the sixth lake you climb a steep slope to a notch, then work up ledges to the summit ridge. It is Class 2+ with Class 3 moves.
The round trip is about 11.6 miles with 4,380 feet of gain, counting the drop to Carter Lake. Many people backpack it. A 2023 blowdown made the trail down to Carter Lake nearly impassable; check with the White River National Forest first. The other way in is from Missouri Lakes over to Blodgett Lake and the top of the Carter drainage.
Plan of the day
By 6 a.m., or from a camp by the lower lakes.
Be at lake 6 by 11 a.m.
The last feet into the notch and the ledges above.
Hard. The Carter trail is faint and overgrown; it changes sides of the creek twice.
Carter Creek and the lakes. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,002'…—
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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
Savage Lakes
From Highway 82, take the exit into downtown Basalt and follow Midland Avenue east; it becomes the Frying Pan Road (County Road 104). Drive the winding road along the north side of Ruedi Reservoir and down to the inlet. After the road crosses the river there, go 4.1 more miles and turn left on Road 501, signed for Elk Wallow Campground.
Pass Elk Wallow, then stay left where a road branches south toward Cunningham Creek, about 1.6 miles on, near the Josephine Lake trailhead. The Savage Lakes trailhead is 3.2 miles farther. The road gets rougher near the end, but most cars make it. There is a big lot that fills on weekends.
Elk Wallow is a small fee campground. There are primitive sites along the road, mostly near the Josephine Lake trailhead, and you can sleep in a vehicle at the trailhead.
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
Savage Lakes. 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 →