CDT / North Ridge

Summiting Alberta Peak is very straightforward. The trailhead is just off of US 160 at Wolf Creek Pass, the trail is well-maintained and easy-to-follow, and the views are excellent! Starting at 10,857 feet you will climb 1,013 feet to the summit at 11,870 feet. The hike is 4.8 miles roundtrip, and is class 1+ with a bit of rock-hopping / minor scrambling for the last 100 feet.

The trail starts to the left (east) of the signs at the parking lot when you are facing them. Follow the trail through an initial meadow for several hundred feet until you encounter a wooden bridge across a small drainage. Cross the bridge and the trail forks. Avoid the right fork and head left. You know you are on the correct trail because of the CDT marker. Follow this trail through spruce-fir forest as it heads east then south to hit the northern ridge of the ski area.

In about ½ mile the trail cuts west and starts ascending the ridge. You are not far from a ski run, but you cannot see it except for a few glimpses as the trail continues. Soon you come out of the trees to a valley filled with a rock glacier. A few more switchbacks and you will be near the top of a ski-lift, and have spectacular views of the rock glacier.

From here the trail once again heads back into the trees and levels out. This is Treasure Pass. The trail heads west and then south. Views of Treasure Mountain to the west start coming through the trees. Very soon you will come across a cairn and a trail sign for Treasure Mountain nailed to a tree. When I was there the Treasure Mountain trail was so vague it looked almost non-existent. 

Keep heading south past a spectacular cliff, and views of 12,000 and 13,000 foot peaks. Pretty soon the trail traverses to the east side of the ridge where there is another ski-lift, a log snow-fence, and great views of Alberta Peak. The trail follows the snow-fence and eventually cuts southwest through a break in the fence.

Several hundred feet past this a cliff there is a cairn and a sign marking the ski area boundary. The snow-fence also ends. From here leave the trail and follow the vague paths up the north ridge of Alberta Peak. Watch your footing, some of the blocks are loose. Once at the summit cairn, enjoy the views of Treasure Mountain to the northwest, and the Continental Divide to the southeast!

Finding the trailhead to Alberta Peak is pretty simple. From downtown Pagosa Springs drive east on US 160 for about 30 minutes to Wolf Creek Pass. When you hit the summit of the pass, there is a parking area on the south (right) side with large signposts highlighting the Continental Divide, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and the Wolf Creek Pass elevation. The parking is free.

There are seemingly two trailheads here; one that starts on the left of the signposts (as you are looking at them), and one on the right. The trailhead to Alberta Peak (and the CDT) is the one on the left