UN 12628, "N 1" "North Snowdon"

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San Juan Range
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UN 12628, "N 1" "North Snowdon"

Page Type:	Mountain/Rock
Lat/Lon:	37.71600°N / 107.6842°W
County:	San Juan
Activities:	Hiking, Mountaineering
Season:	Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Elevation:	12628 ft / 3849 m
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Overview

"N 1" and Snowdon Peak

This un-named Twelver is alternately unofficially known also as “N 1” or “North Snowdon,” a pleasant smaller companion peak to Snowdon Peak (13077 ft). The old mining town of Silverton, Colorado can be viewed from the summit. This mountain affords the visitors amazing views of the Grenadier Range to the east and the Needles Range to the southeast. “N 1” itself anchors the northernmost end of the the West Needle Range). Mellow in character compared to other mountains in this neighborhood, the summit of “N 1” can be reached with no greater challenge than a Class 2 tundra hop / boulder scamper.

Colorado Rank: “N 1” is a soft ranked peak, which basically means there is no confirmed 300-ft variance between its summit and the lowest point of the saddle with its next highest neighbor.
Prominence: 288 feet
USGS Quad: Snowdon Peak
Planning Map: Trails Illustrated #140 Weminuche Wilerness

Rank & Prominence: Lists of John

Sarah Simon near the summit of N1 (UN12,628) | Kiefer Thomas

Getting There

Snow on slopes of "N 1"

Heading up "N 1"

Approaching "N 1" from the southwest

Silverton from "N 1"

Andrews Lake Trailhead 10,800 feet
14 miles south of Silverton; 53 miles north of Durango on U.S. 550 and about 1 mile south of Molas Pass, head south on the access road for Andrews Lake. Trailhead is 2 WD accessible in dry conditions; 4x4 needed in snow.

Molas Pass Trailhead 10,000 feet
13 miles south of Silverton, 54 miles north of Durango on U.S. 550 and about 1 mile north of Molas Pass, turn east into the Molas Lake access road. Plenty of parking is available at the trailhead.

Kiefer making his way up the gully between Snowdon Peak and "N 1" | 9 Nov 2013

Route

This route map outlines two primary approach options to the summit of "N 1"

I provide here a high-level overview of route options to reach the summit of “N 1.” I encourage other members to submit more detailed route pages and/or trip reports outlining route details.

From Andrews Lake
•Roundtrip Distance: 6 miles
•Elevation Gain: 1900 feet
•YDS: 2
•This would be considered the standard / more heavily traveled route

From Molas Pass / Molas Lake
•Roundtrip Distance: 9-11 miles depending on parking
•Elevation Gain: Approximately 3000
•YDS: Unknown
•Involves a crossing of Molas Creek

In the upper gully

Mad climber scientist

Almost to the top

Kiefer on summit

Red Tape

This pano gives a small taste of the scenery from the summit of "N 1"

Grenadier Views

Needle Mountains

There are no use or parking fees to access this area and permits are not required for day use. “N 1” resides within the Weminuche Wilderness so motorized and mechanized vehicles are prohibited and dogs must be leashed.

Please practice Leave No Trace principals:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife

Weather and Seasons

This raven was posing for us during our descent from "N 1"

Find more about Weather in Silverton, CO

Click for weather forecast

Summer in the San Juans is heavenly, with warm sunny daysand cool, crisp nights. Mid-summerwildflowers will knock your socks off. As with the other mountainous areas of Colorado, the afternoonthunderstorms mean summertime hikers need to leave the summit by noon. The San Juans are well-known for thawing outlater than other parts of Colorado; it is not uncommon for an ice axe to berequired year-round on certain routes.

The town of Silverton and surrounding mountainsreceive massive amounts of snowfall in the winter months. Avalanche chutes abound in the area; in thesummer, the wounds from the previous snow-season’s avalanche activity areevident. Exercise prudent snow sense inthese mountains when snow cover is present.

Click for weather forecast

Autumn sunset in the San Juan Mountains

Camping and Lodging

East face of "N 1"

"N 1" from the south

Snowdon Peak

Views from the top

Established National Forest Campgrounds
The South Mineral Campground is about 6 miles from Silverton. The campground has 26 sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. At 9,800 feet elevation, even summer nights will be chilly. To get there, drive two miles west of Silverton to Forest Road 585. Follow FR 585 west along the creek for four miles to the campground entrance. The facilities provide picnic tables, composting vault toilets, fire grates, trash disposal and potable water.

San Juan National Forest campground map

Commercial Campgrounds
Silverton hosts at least three commercial campgrounds offering services such as RV hookup, snacks and showers. These include Silverton Lakes Camper Park, Silver Summit RV Park and Red Mountain RV Park. Additional RV parks can be found by visiting the Silverton Magazine online lodging guide.

Cabins, Cottages, Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts
The lodging in and around Silverton could be described as “limited” and “eclectic”. Many are family owned and operated and tend toward the friendly and cozy, versus the sophisticated or luxurious. The Silverton Magazine provides a good online lodging guide.

External Links

Feel free to notify me of any external trip reports or other useful information pertinent to this peak to add here.

The sun setting in the San Juans during our outhike from "N 1" | 9 Nov 2013

Images

View UN 12628, "N 1" "North Snowdon" Image Gallery - 29 Images

Children

1 Trailheads

Andrews Lake Trailhead

In the upper gully	Mad climber scientist
Almost to the top	Kiefer on summit