OverviewSpread Eagle Peak is ranked the 306th highest peak in Colorado and towers over the beautiful Lakes of the Clouds basin. The peak dominates the western skyline while approaching the Gibson Creek trailhead from Westcliffe.
The summit contains a CMC summit register showing that the summit sees a few folks on summer weekends with light mid-week traffic. I summited on a Sunday in early August and the only person I saw above the Lake of the Clouds was my wife who accompanied me to the saddle and enjoyed the view south to the Crestones and the Spanish Peaks while I summited.
The route up to the saddle from the Lakes of the Clouds is steep Class 2 with a faint climbers trail for part of the way. From the saddle up to the south ridge never exceeds steep Class 2 but there is some great exposure for the last 200 vertical feet of scrambling. It is just enough to get your heart pounding and make you feel alive.
Getting ThereFrom the center of Westcliffe, Colorado head south on Colorado Highway 69 for a short distance. Just as you are leaving town take a right turn on the well signed Hermit Road.
Continue west on Hermit Road for almost six miles. About halfway through the six miles the road will come to an intersection where the pavement heading west ends. Continue west (straight) on the now gravel Hermit Road. Spread Eagle Peak is now towering ahead of you.
At about six miles from Colorado Highway 69 you will come to a fork in the road. The left fork heads up the four wheel drive road to Hermit Lake and ultimately to Hermit Pass. Take the right fork which is the cut-off to C.R. 172 North Taylor Road. Take a left on North Taylor Road towards some private residences. You will soon see a sign for the Gibson Creek Trailhead and pass through the forest service gate.
Once through the forest service gate you will see parking for horse trailers and group camping. This last 0.2 miles from the gate to the signed trailhead is pretty rough but is passable to most high clearance vehicles. Four wheel drive would most likely be necessary in wet or snow conditions.
Red TapeThe forest service requires that you sign in at the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness boundary. There are currently no fees or permits required for small groups.
When To ClimbThe steep climb to the saddle would most likely be avalanche prone in spring and late summer due to it's north facing position.
CampingThere are some camping areas between the forest boundary and the trailhead. There is a backcountry campsite along the Rainbow trail between Gibson Creek trailhead and the Swift Creek Trail (trail to Lakes of the Clouds). There are several great backcountry campsites nestled among the three Lakes of the Clouds. The best sites appear to be between the middle and upper lakes. Our campsite was near upper Lake of the Clouds and had wonderful views of the northwest face of Spread Eagle Peak.
Mountain ConditionsCheck local weather here.
Images
|
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
