| North Ridge (Class 2) Route |
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| North Ridge (Class 2)   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Route Type: Hiking Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Time Required: Half a day
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| Page By: km_donovan Created/Edited: Jun 5, 2006 / Feb 1, 2007 Object ID: 198087 Hits: 1037 Loading... Page Score: 34.39% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThis peak is infrequently climbed (there were 40 registered assents in 2005) so you will be able to most likely have it all to yourself even on a holiday weekend. It ranks 155th on the list of Colorado’s highest peaks. From the summit you can see a plethora of Colorado’s 14’ers including Pikes Peak (northeast), the Crestones, Humboldt, Kit Carson, Challenger Point, Blanca Peak, Ellingwood Point, Little Bear (south) and to the north a great view of the some of the Collegiate Peaks, Harvard and Columbia along with Mount Shavano and Tabeguache Peak. Some bushwhacking may be involved so long pants are recommended. Avoid going during hunting season.
Coverdale Basin TrailheadFrom the western junction of Highway 69 and Highway 96 in Westcliffe go north (right) on Highway 69 11.9 miles and turn west (left) on CR198 just before reaching the town of Hillside. Measure from this point. Go .4 miles and stay right at the road junction, at 2.7 miles you will reach the National Forest boundary passing the Lake Creek Campground. Passenger cars can continue to 3.2 miles, beyond this the road becomes rougher and 4-wheel drive is required. As a matter of reference, at 4.5 miles pass Trail 1336, at 7.7 miles pass Rainbow Lake, at 8.7 miles pass a Forest Service Cabin, continue past the Coverdale Mine Headquarters and the Forest Service buildings to 10.8 miles to Wilderness Boundary. There is a small parking area there. Note: The road may be blocked by deadfall or snow persisting into late spring or early summer depending on the winter snow pack.
North Ridge (Class 2)From the Wilderness Boundary follow the Silver Lake Trail (marked) (Trail 1354) .5 miles to Sliver Lake. Maps indicate that the trail continues to the northern side of the lake, however you may also remain south of the lake crossing several small creeks at the inlet at .75 miles. Crossing to the north of the creek scramble through the small boulders avoiding the low brush as much as possible to emerge on a wide grassy slope. From this point you are approximately 1.25 miles from the summit. Head west to the up the grassy slope to the obvious Col. From the Col climb directly to the top of the ridge (Class 2) for an enjoyable climb to the summit. The ridge is solid however some sections are a little airy and some individuals may want to climb slightly below these sections. From the summit you can look down into the San Juan Valley and see many more opportunities to climb and hike in the Sangre de Cristo’s.
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Sangre de Cristo Mountains
