Peak 13253 ft (Harrison Flat) : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Peak 13253 ft and Lake 12155 ft, east face

Rank: Peak 13253 ft is Colorado’s 439th highest ranked peak.

North face

East face

Peak 13253 ft sits on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Mountains of central Colorado. It rises at the southwestern end of the Clear Creek Valley near the 14er Huron Peak.

Peak 13253 ft has two summits that have the exact same elevation. These summits are separated by a distance of 0.3 miles and a 13140 ft saddle. To the northwest, Peak 13253 ft is connected to Peak 13235 ft and to the northeast it connects to Granite Mountain. The long southeastern ridgeline of Peak 13253 ft gives rise to several unranked high points before reaching The West Apostle.

To the east of Peak 13253 ft, you will find a small plateau that sits at an elevation of 11800-12200 ft. This beautiful little plateau is known as Harrison Flat and in my opinion is a true paradise. It houses two unnamed lakes: Lake 11909 ft and Lake 12155 ft. In summer, wild flowers appear all over Harrison Flat. The surrounding mountains, including the jagged Ice Mountain and The Apostles create magnificent views.

To reach the summit of Peak 13253 ft, you will have to find your own way. I started at the Huron Peak Trailhead. Instead of following the Huron Peak Trail, I followed much of the trail that goes to the nearby Lake Ann. Before reaching Lake Ann, I left trail and bushwhacked my way to Harrison Flat and Peak 13253 ft (see Route Page for details).

Peak 13253 ft and Lake 11909 ft, east face

Pictures

For more pictures, see the Granite Mountain Page.

On Lake Ann Trail:

Lake Ann Trail

Where I left trail

Harrison Flat:

Huron Peak
Peak 13253 ft	Harrison Flat
	Harrison Flat
Harrison Flat
The Three Apostles

Summit:

Summit

Views from the summit:

Harrison Flat	The Three Apostles	Taylor Park Reservoir	Taylor Park
Grizzly Peak	La Plata	Silver Basin	Huron Peak & Granite Mtn.

Getting There

The trailhead for Peak 13253 ft is the same as the trailhead for Huron Peak. From Buena Vista, drive 15 mile north (or 19 miles south from Leadville) to Clear Creek Reservoir Road (County Road 390). Drive Clear Creek Reservoir Road 11.7 miles to reach the ghost town of Winfield (this is a smooth dirt road passable by any car). In Winfield, turn left and cross the bridge to reach a parking area. You might see signs for Huron Peak Trail. If you have 4WD, you can drive another 2 miles to the end of the road