Truchas Peak (aka South Truchas Peak)
Route Description
Trailhead: Rio Quemado (~9,700 ft.)Distance/Elev. Gain(TH-Middle Truchas Peak summit): 8.2 mi/3,400 ft. RT
Distance/Elev. Gain(TH-Medio Truchas Peak summit): 9.0 mi/3,600 ft. RT
Distance/Elev. Gain(TH-South Truchas Peak summit): 10.2 mi/4,200 ft. RT
The Northwest Ridge of Middle Truchas Peak provides the shortest and easiest way to climb Middle/Medio Truchas Peaks and South Truchas Peak. Start from Rio Quemado Trailhead (click here for trail information on the South Truchas Peak page under "Getting There/WESTERN APPROACH") and follow Rio Quemado Trail.
 Route Map |
 NW Ridge Route |
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After ascending to ~11,300 ft. on Rio Quemado Trail (~0.4 miles past the turn to Quemado Falls), you will come to the clearing with a direct view of the NW ridge of Middle Truchas on the right hand side (image). Leave the trail and hike SW across the marshy meadow to the base of a wide grassy gully providing the access to the NW ridge (image). Ascend the gully to the ridge crest at ~12,200 ft., turn left (SE) and follow the NW ridge to the summit of Middle Truchas Peak.
 The access to the NW Ridge |
 The access gully |
 The middle section of the access gully |
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Traverse to Medio and South Truchas
The summit of Medio Truchas is just a short 0.4 mile hike from the summit of Middle Truchas Peak with ~100 ft. of elevation gain. The summit of South Truchas is another 0.6 miles/300 vertical feet away from the top of Medio Truchas. Traversing from Middle to Medio Truchas Peak |
 South Truchas Peak from Medio Truchas summit |
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When to Climb
June through October is considered the best time to climb. Late July-August are the typical monsoon season, with regular afternoon thunderstorms. The access gully usually holds snow well into late spring/early June, so be prepared for a snow climb. Winter ascents are possible, but avalanche conditions could be extreme and the approach is significantly longer.Images
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