Peerless Mountain

Overview

Where: United States, Colorado
Elevation: 13,348ft.
Distance: Roughly 8 miles from Fourmile Creek Trailhead.
Gain: 2,108ft. from Fourmile Creek Trailhead.
Difficulty: Class 1 or 2 "walk-up"

Peerless Mountain sits quietly at 13,348ft. in the Tenmile-Mosquito Range of the Colorado Rockies. You will find Peerless in between the Colorado 13ers Horseshoe Mountain (13,898ft.) and Mt. Sheridan (13,748ft.). Peerless Mountain is an unranked summit, meaning that it doesn't rise 300 ft. or more from it's connecting saddles with Horseshoe and Sheridan. Yet the saddle does rise 168ft. from Horseshoes connecting saddle. Even though Peerless Mountain isn't an official summit it is a fun hike that takes you past several well-preserved historic mining sites and structures. In addition, you're almost guaranteed to have the summit to yourself because it is less frequented than it's ranked neighbors. Peerless Mountain's slopes will not exceed Class 2 scrambling no matter which route you choose. The Peerless Mine as well as a few old mining cabins reside on Peerless Mountains East Slopes above 12,500ft. This peak offers itself as a good winter test piece for the inquisitive Colorado mountain man/women. Once bustling with mining activities typical of the 1800's, Peerless rarely sees the human foot in todays changed economy. Get up top and enjoy the air! You will also see the neighboring Mt. Sherman (14,036ft.) & Dyer Mt'n. (13,855ft.) from your lofty vantage point.

Photo by Brad Snider

Getting There

Fourmile Creek Trailhead -
From Denver approximately 1 hour forty minute drive. To get to the Fourmile Creek Trailhead from Denver take Hampden (US 285) west into the mountains. You will drive for a while, occasionally seeing signs for Fairplay. Once you arrive in the town of Fairplay keep straight on US 285. Once you get to the US285-CO9 junction in Fairplay continue 1 mile south on US 285 to Park County 18. I belive there is a large sign also, listing the turn off for Fourmile Creek. Continue on this road for about 10 and 3/4 miles to Leavick. This is not a marked sign but some residences are on the left side off the road. In winter this can also be referred to as the spot where the road is no longer plowed and passenger cars cannot continue! Usually the case late October thru early May. If you're fortunate to own a four wheel drive vehicle you can continue farther up the road, above treeline to a locked gate below but near the awesome Hilltop Mine (12,890 feet high ~ approximately).

Photo by sisyphus

Red Tape

The peak is open to any willing to reach it's summit. On the way to the Fourmile Creek Trailhead while driving in you will see some signs advising you to respect private property and stay on the road. One should respect private property and adhere to these signs.

Camping

Most of the area leading up to and passing the Fourmile Creek Trailhead is private property (excluding the road itself). As a result one cannot camp anywhere to the left or right off the road - which is also your route initially. There are some halfway descent campsites along the way to the Fourmile Creek Trailhead. If your willing to get cold, one could easily camp above treeline in Horseshoe Gulch. In the summer, people are likely to "car camp" at or near the Fourmile Creek Trailhead.

External Links

If your going to attempt a winter ascent I'd recommend stopping by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website. It's an invaluable resource!!

Maps- San Isabel National Forest, Pike National Forest ~ Mt. Sherman,

www.weather.com

Images

View Peerless Mountain Image Gallery - 16 Images