| East Slopes & The Window Route |
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| East Slopes & The Window   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 37.68000°N / 107.392°W Route Type: Hike/Scramble Time Required: One to two days Difficulty: Class 2+
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Feb 23, 2003 / Jan 19, 2007 Object ID: 157750 Hits: 2174 Loading... Page Score: 85.73% - 4 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachIf backpacking, the hike to camp at Weminuche Pass is pleasant and restful, and will take about three hours. An extra early start is mandatory if the entire climb is to be done in one day.
80 yards south of the trailhead, the trail splits. A sign indicates your choices: Big Squaw or Weminuche Trail. Take the Weminuche (right), following a high road as it contours along the south side of the Rio Grande Reservoir. Climb .5 mile to Weminuche Creek, going south up the drainage. Cross the creek to the west side on a bridge. Enter the vast Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado’s largest!
Altitude gain is moderate and then very gradual as you ascend the broad drainage. You will cross three creeks en route, which could be considerably muddy. Evidence of horses and cows will abound. The trail is very wide in spots due to traffic and its easy nature.
After the third crossing, you arrive at broad Weminuche Pass, a clearing between forests at 10,000 feet. This is a good camp spot from which to launch a climb of the Pyramid the following day. Distance from Thirty Mile Campground to Weminuche Pass is almost 5 miles. There is no water above this point en route to the Pyramid or the Window.
Route DescriptionJust past the 3rd creek crossing, leave the trail and go west on the Opal Lake Trail, (according to the Roach book). There is a sign that says "Skyline Trail" but it has been known to be pointed in the wrong direction. If you see this sign, look for a trail to the right, and a (freshly-erected) cairn. The trail does not have an obvious connection to the Weminuche Trail so you have to look for it. The trail appears to parallel the stream just to the left of the trees. If you can't see the stream crossing from the trail junction, you went too far.
The map in the Roach book does not accurately depict the true location of this trail. Nor does the Trails Illustrated Map. It starts closer to the stream than either of those maps indicate. The trail is generally higher than Roach indicates and lower than the Trails Illustrated map indicates.
Hike west-southwest around a smooth buttress to a shoulder at 11,700 feet. You can now see the Window on the left, and the cone of the Pyramid on the right.
Go another 1.3 miles, contouring upward along a steep slope above the Rincon La Vaca valley to the south. Climb to a level spot at 12,000 feet. Go .8 mile west and south through thick brush to an unmarked junction at 12,200 feet. Leave the trail on a climber’s trail to 12,600 feet, just south of a broad saddle east-northeast of the Pyramid. Distance to this saddle from Thirty Mile Campground is almost 9 miles.
Go .4 mile west, ascend a steep gully (Class 2) with a use trail (per Roach) or bear slightly right to scrambling territory over steep rock (Class 2+). Loose rock is everywhere, so proceed cautiously. Bypass point 13,185 and climb up loose talus and large blocks. Be wary that most of these rocks, including the bigger ones, will move. Avoid difficulties on the right. The final ascent climbs a direct line up the mountain.
Round trip from Weminuche Pass is 10 miles, with a gain of 3,521 feet. Return the same route unless you’re going to the Window. Add two miles for a trip to the Window (see below).
According to SP member Gareth: As of September 2004, the Opal Lake Trail, formerly known as the Skyline Trail, was no longer maintained according to a U.S. Forest Service employee. Along the trail you will run into some deadfall across the trail, the largest of which the trail has worn itself around. Further on you will have to make your way though a few thick patches of willows. The trail is still there, but you will have to push along through what has encroached upon it. Be careful, or you probably will wind up tripping!
Many thanks to SP member mmoerk for important updates to this route description included herein.
The WindowDescend the Pyramid down the way you came, or one of two steep gullies south of the summit for a more direct approach. Loose rock is the price, so proceed with caution (Class 2+). Reach the tundra below, contouring south-southwest on a fairly level grassy bench toward the Window. Stay high, between 12,460 and 12,800 feet. Angle your way along a faint access trail into the Window. Enjoy the staggering view!
South of the Window is point 13,157, alias Window Peak (per Roach), if you have an inkling to do another climb in this already long day.
Return from the Window via the way you came, intersecting the trail to the Pyramid via a contouring route that does not drop below 12,600 feet (Class 2). The broad saddle east of the Pyramid will be evident and help you” take aim,” so as not to drop down too far too soon. See the map on this page which illustrates this return route.
Upon intersecting the Opal Lake Trail, return to Weminuche Pass and your camp. Round trip from the pass to the Pyramid and the Window is a 12 mile day.
If a visit to the Window is desired without climbing the mountain, "aim" for the Window from just below the large saddle east of the Pyramid and contour toward it, staying level with or just above the tundra bench that leads to just below the Window.
More Route PhotosEssential GearDAYHIKE: Well stocked daypack. This is an all day affair, so expect San Juan weather to join your party. Rain gear is essential.
BACKPACK: Full compliment of gear and camping equipment.
Water sources are questionable. Bring a water filter.
NOTE: Shouldn't one always take a water filter? Most would answer yes to that question. There are those of us who have climbed all of our lives without ever using a water filter, or use one ocassionally. However in some situations, where water quality is questionable, a filter should be used. Even though this hike is in Colorado's largest wilderness, ironic as it may seem, given the uses of the area, it is best to use a water filter on this climb.
Route OptionsGerry Roach reports on other intriguing routes in his book “Colorado’s Thirteeners-From Hikes to Climbs.” He reports on the route included on this page; Rincon La Vaca, a valley approach with more gain involved and access to the Window and Window Peak; Rio Nieve, a north face snow climb; and the West Slopes, the most remote option and a summer route that involves stream crossings and a steep pitch on unstable talus.
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San Juan Range
