With Rachael. East slopes via Hondo Canyon. Trail was better than expected and not that hard to follow. Fizzled out near treeline but at that point it didn't matter as it was easy to find our way to the ridge. Traversed over to San Luis by dropping off the north side and contouring over to the SL trail, thus avoiding the "ghastly gash". Had heard mixed reviews on that route and just decided not to deal with the loose parts and skip it.
Liba Kopeckova - Sep 17, 2014 12:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2014
Nice autumn day
Nice hike with Duchess via Hondo Canyon.
We have done San Luis already twice, and Duchess needed an easier route. She did so great for an old lady (14.5 year old dog) - jumping logs… now resting on couch.
After Stewart et al on 9/1, slept in the car at the wrong Eddiesville TH. Misread the Roachs' directions. I should have parked 1/4 mile further down the road -- near the gate past the horse corral. I figured it out the next morning -- only after starting out on the wrong trail, then took a little time to find the Canon Hondo trail. But once I did, it was glorious! LOTS of deadfall, but the trail is pretty easy to follow up to treeline. Like the day before, saw no one on the trail all day.
West Ridge traverse after climbing San Luis Peak from Stewart Creek. Descended East Slopes route. Fun scrambling, nice weather, great views.
Kiefer - Jun 27, 2011 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2011
Via Cebolla TH
We (Stephanie Lynn) attempted this via the West Ridge (Organ Pipes) but were turned around by the gash...no place for a dog!
Went back up the next day via the standard route and summited. Descended the South Slopes to the Colorado Trail and took the Bondholder trail back to Cebolla trail to the Jeep.
Seriously long day.
Summited Point 13,155 as well.
(The volcanic plug across and south from San Luis)
SarahThompson - Sep 10, 2008 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2005
Twice
6/18/05 - Organ's west ridge provides some fun scrambling and routefinding but also has sections of scree and loose rock. Near the gash we had to cross a gully full of snow and I recommend an ice axe early in the season. Scrambling up the strange organ pipes to the summit is the highlight of this route in my opinion - its easy and fun and the rock formations are very cool.
1/5/18 - Solo winter ascent from Stewart Creek TH in very dry conditions. Along with Baldy Alto & Organ Mountain in an 11 hour day.
slowbutsteady - Sep 13, 2007 11:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2006
Hondo Canyon route
Hiked Hondo Canyon Route noted in the Roach 13NR book. Camped at Eddiesville TRH. Left camp at 5AM, on top 10:10AM. Trail up drainage in forest was only lost a few times. Great organ pipes visible if you hike down from summit a little and look back up. So serene and quiet this day. Back to camp at 3:30PM
Brian Kalet - Aug 20, 2007 12:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
West Ridge
From 13285, 13180, 13155 & San Luis Peak. To San Luis Peak. 9 hours roundtrip.
altitude14er - Jul 4, 2007 2:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
Route Climbed: West Ridge - San Luis Combo
A fascinating peak due to its volcanic rocks that compose the shapely summit and southern cliffs. I highly recommend this peak, an excellent outing if climbed via the West Ridge.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: August 1996
I also climbed this peak after San Luis. Although I can't see how anyone can justify calling a peak in the La Garitas "boring," I found Organ more rewarding as there was nobody on the summit--always a big plus.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 7 Aug 2004
After a boring climb of San Luis Peak I decided to traverse to Organ Mountain to try and salvage the day. It turned out to be one of the most fun climbs I've done in the San Juans! The south face is a striking sight compared to the surrounding peaks and the route was very engaging and exciting. It's amazing that people trudge up to the top of San Luis just because it is 14,000' tall and ignore a great climb that is right next door!
Matt Lemke - Jun 25, 2020 5:29 pm
NW ridgeFun solo walk
chicagotransplant - Aug 28, 2017 1:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2017
East Slopes and San LuisWith Rachael. East slopes via Hondo Canyon. Trail was better than expected and not that hard to follow. Fizzled out near treeline but at that point it didn't matter as it was easy to find our way to the ridge. Traversed over to San Luis by dropping off the north side and contouring over to the SL trail, thus avoiding the "ghastly gash". Had heard mixed reviews on that route and just decided not to deal with the loose parts and skip it.
Liba Kopeckova - Sep 17, 2014 12:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2014
Nice autumn dayNice hike with Duchess via Hondo Canyon.
We have done San Luis already twice, and Duchess needed an easier route. She did so great for an old lady (14.5 year old dog) - jumping logs… now resting on couch.
rockymountaindiva - Jul 26, 2013 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2010
Hondo routeAlready plenty of snow!
theREALCarpeDM - Sep 5, 2011 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2011
Kinda Fonda HondoAfter Stewart et al on 9/1, slept in the car at the wrong Eddiesville TH. Misread the Roachs' directions. I should have parked 1/4 mile further down the road -- near the gate past the horse corral. I figured it out the next morning -- only after starting out on the wrong trail, then took a little time to find the Canon Hondo trail. But once I did, it was glorious! LOTS of deadfall, but the trail is pretty easy to follow up to treeline. Like the day before, saw no one on the trail all day.
strudolyubov - Jul 3, 2011 1:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2011
West Ridge from San LuisWest Ridge traverse after climbing San Luis Peak from Stewart Creek. Descended East Slopes route. Fun scrambling, nice weather, great views.
Kiefer - Jun 27, 2011 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2011
Via Cebolla THWe (Stephanie Lynn) attempted this via the West Ridge (Organ Pipes) but were turned around by the gash...no place for a dog!
Went back up the next day via the standard route and summited. Descended the South Slopes to the Colorado Trail and took the Bondholder trail back to Cebolla trail to the Jeep.
Seriously long day.
Summited Point 13,155 as well.
(The volcanic plug across and south from San Luis)
SarahThompson - Sep 10, 2008 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2005
Twice6/18/05 - Organ's west ridge provides some fun scrambling and routefinding but also has sections of scree and loose rock. Near the gash we had to cross a gully full of snow and I recommend an ice axe early in the season. Scrambling up the strange organ pipes to the summit is the highlight of this route in my opinion - its easy and fun and the rock formations are very cool.
1/5/18 - Solo winter ascent from Stewart Creek TH in very dry conditions. Along with Baldy Alto & Organ Mountain in an 11 hour day.
slowbutsteady - Sep 13, 2007 11:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2006
Hondo Canyon routeHiked Hondo Canyon Route noted in the Roach 13NR book. Camped at Eddiesville TRH. Left camp at 5AM, on top 10:10AM. Trail up drainage in forest was only lost a few times. Great organ pipes visible if you hike down from summit a little and look back up. So serene and quiet this day. Back to camp at 3:30PM
Brian Kalet - Aug 20, 2007 12:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
West RidgeFrom 13285, 13180, 13155 & San Luis Peak. To San Luis Peak. 9 hours roundtrip.
altitude14er - Jul 4, 2007 2:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
Route Climbed: West Ridge - San Luis ComboA fascinating peak due to its volcanic rocks that compose the shapely summit and southern cliffs. I highly recommend this peak, an excellent outing if climbed via the West Ridge.
doumall - Jul 13, 2005 3:31 pm
Route Climbed: North Slopes Date Climbed: July 2, 2005Started with Organ then went over the west ridge to San Luis. Saw a Bull Moose!
DharmaBum1984 - May 7, 2005 2:18 am
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: August 1996I also climbed this peak after San Luis. Although I can't see how anyone can justify calling a peak in the La Garitas "boring," I found Organ more rewarding as there was nobody on the summit--always a big plus.
bc44caesar - Aug 17, 2004 9:23 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 7 Aug 2004After a boring climb of San Luis Peak I decided to traverse to Organ Mountain to try and salvage the day. It turned out to be one of the most fun climbs I've done in the San Juans! The south face is a striking sight compared to the surrounding peaks and the route was very engaging and exciting. It's amazing that people trudge up to the top of San Luis just because it is 14,000' tall and ignore a great climb that is right next door!