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.
Alternate route · West Ridge
Overview
The West Ridge route climbs Tabeguache Peak from the unmarked Jennings Creek trailhead. It follows a trail through the forest to a small tarn, heads north up the Jennings Creek basin without a trail, then climbs to a saddle and follows the long ridge east over Point 13,936 to the summit. It is Class 2.
At about 8 miles round trip and 4,000 feet of gain, it is a good choice for hikers who do not want the extra work of the standard route over Mount Shavano. The last stretch of ridge needs some route-finding to keep it at Class 2.
You must come back the same way. Do not take a shortcut into McCoy Gulch, which ends in cliffs, and stay off the southwest ridge, whose old route is now closed. Plan on 6 to 8 hours round trip.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. The ridge is long and exposed, and you have to go back over Point 13,936 on the way down.
Turnaround
If you are not on top of Point 13,936 by about 10 a.m., or storms are building, turn around. Even in a storm, go back the way you came.
Crux
The final ridge beyond the false summit. Keep to the crest or a bit to its right, choosing a line that stays Class 2.
Route-finding
Moderate to hard. At the tarn near 11,200 feet, turn left and go north up the basin. Do not follow the trail east toward the closed southwest ridge. On the way down, never drop into McCoy Gulch.
Water
Jennings Creek runs through the basin. Filter or treat it. There is no water on the ridge, so carry at least 3 liters.
Begin in Poncha Springs, where U.S. 285 meets U.S. 50. Drive 6 miles west on U.S. 50 and go right on County Road 240. After 3 miles it turns to dirt. The Angel of Shavano campground and trailhead come 0.6 mile later.
Past the campground the road needs 4WD. Drive about 3.8 more miles to the unmarked Jennings Creek trailhead on the right, about 7.6 miles from U.S. 50. There is room for only 2 or 3 vehicles, with more pull-offs about a quarter mile below and 0.4 mile above. There are no signs, so the trailhead is easy to drive past.
Trail in the treesTalus and screeRidgeTundraExposed 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
Jennings Creek trailhead 10,500' · 0 mi
Climb through thick forest on a decent trail.
2
Small tarn 11,200' · 1 mi
Around 11,200 feet the forest opens up at a flat spot next to a small tarn. Go left past the tarn and head north, keeping Jennings Creek on your left.
Watch for: The trail itself keeps going east to the closed southwest ridge. Do not follow it.
3
Jennings Creek basin 11,700' · 1.5 mi
With no trail, keep heading north along the bottom edge of the talus, which is on your right. Around 11,700 feet, bear a bit east of the creek to avoid the willows.
4
Upper basin 12,300' · 2 mi
Continue up the middle of the drainage and bend northwest near 12,300 feet to reach the head of the basin. The ridge between Carbonate Mountain and Tabeguache is just ahead.
5
12,600-foot saddle 12,600' · 2.3 mi
Find a trail up to the ridge and climb to a small saddle. Go right and head east along the ridge.
Watch for: Note this saddle. You will need to find it again to get back into the basin.
6
Small point near 13,000 feet 13,000' · 2.6 mi
A small point gives a clearer look at Point 13,936, which blocks the view of Tabeguache.
7
Rust-colored rock 13,600' · 3 mi
Follow the ridge to about 13,600 feet, where the rock turns rusty red. Stay left and climb steeper ground.
8
Point 13,936 13,936' · 3.2 mi
Climb to the top of Point 13,936. Going over the top is the best choice.
9
Low point on the ridge 13,800' · 3.4 mi
Drop east to a low point near 13,800 feet.
Watch for: Do not drop off the ridge here. Stay on it.
10
False summit 14,050' · 3.7 mi
Keep to the crest or a bit to its right as you climb to a false summit. Tabeguache's summit comes into view about 0.2 mile ahead.
11
Summit of Tabeguache Peak 14,158' · 4 mi
The final ridge has two or so points to cross; keep on the crest or right of it. This is the crux, but it is short.
Watch for: Pick your line with care so it stays Class 2.
Getting down
Descend the same way, back over Point 13,936, down the ridge to the 12,600-foot saddle, and into the Jennings Creek basin. Follow the creek south to the tarn and pick up the trail down through the forest. Never shortcut down the southwest ridge, and never drop early into McCoy Gulch, even to escape a storm.
If things go wrong
The only safe way off is back along the ridge the way you came, to the 12,600-foot saddle and down into the Jennings Creek basin. McCoy Gulch may look like a fast way out, but it drops off cliffs and has trapped many hikers. If a storm catches you on the ridge, keep moving back west and off the high points as fast as you safely can. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal.
Other routes
Every way up Tabeguache Peak we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
