Peak 12955 ft (Kroenke Lake)

Peak 12955 ft (Kroenke Lake)

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 38.85497°N / 106.34932°W
Additional Information County: Chaffee/Gunnison
Additional Information Elevation: 12955 ft / 3949 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Peak 12955 ft and Kroenke LakePeak 12955 ft and Kroenke Lake



Note about name: This peak has no official name.
Rank: Peak 12955 ft is Colorado’s 666th highest ranked peak.

Peak 12955 ft sits on the continental divide in the Sawatch Mountains of central Colorado near the famous 14er Mt. Yale. The shortest way to reach the summit of Peak 12955 ft is to approach it from the south starting on Cottonwood Pass Road via the trail to Hartenstein Lake (see the page for Peak 12956 ft). Before reaching the lake, you will take the trail that goes to the 12020 ft Browns Pass where you can access the western slopes of the peak.

A more scenic option is to approach the peak from the northeast via the trail to Kroenke Lake. From North Cottonwood Trailhead, you will hike the trail through a beautiful pine forest to the 11500 ft Kroenke Lake and then a 12500 ft saddle. You will then leave trail and hike up the easy northern slopes to reach the summit of Peak 12955 ft.

Getting There

From the intersection of Route 24 and Cottonwood Pass Road in Buena Vista (the only traffic light in town), drive less than half a mile north on Route 24 and turn west onto County Road 350 (Crossman Ave). Drive west for 2 miles until you reach a T. Turn right (north) onto 361. After about a mile, turn left onto 365. This is a dirt road which later gets somewhat rough but is rated for passenger car. Go miles 5 miles to reach the trailhead at the end of the road.

Route, via Kroenke Lake

 
Peak 12955
Peak 12955
Peak 12955 ft via Kroenke Lake Trail




All distances are per my GPS

Place
Elevation
Distance
North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
9860 ft
zero miles
Branch to Mts. Harvard/Columbia
10340 ft
1.60 miles
Kroenke Lake
11500 ft
2.65 miles
Saddle
12500 ft
1.15 miles
Summit
12955 ft
0.70 miles
Total
-
6.10 miles








The trail starts on the west side of the parking area. It crosses to the south side of the creek over a pedestrian bridge and then follows the creek west through a lush pine forest. After about 1.5 miles, it crosses back to the north side of the creek and then reaches a split. Right goes to Mts. Harvard and Columbia. Take the left branch to Kroenke Lake.

Trail to Kroenke Lake
Trail to Kroenke Lake
Trail to Kroenke Lake
Trail to Kroenke Lake



Slopes of Mt. Yale may be seen through the trees.

North Slopes of Mt. YaleSlopes of Mt. Yale



You will then reach Kroenke Lake. Peak 12955 ft and Peak 12778 ft will come to view.

Peak 12955 ft and Kroenke LakePeak 12955 ft
Kroenke Lake & Peak 12778 ftPeak 12778 ft



Trail on the south side of the lake.

Trail on the south side of kroenke Lake



You will soon go above the tree-line. Point 13605 ft to the northeast of Mt. Yale.

Point 13605 ftPoint 13605 ft



Kroenke Lake & Mt. Columbia.

Mt. Columbia and Kroenke LakeKroenke Lake & Mt. Columbia



The trail goes through a dense growth of bushes.

Trail acting as stream bedTrail in the dense bushes



Peak 12955 ft.

Peak 12955 ftPeak 12955 ft
Peak 12955 ftPeak 12955 ft



The trail continues onto the 12500 ft saddle.

Trail going to the 12500 ft saddle12500 ft saddle



At the saddle, head south, leave the trail and hike up the easy grassy slopes.

Grassy northern slopes of Peak 12955 ftGrassy northern slopes



The grassy slopes.

Grassy northern slopes of Peak 12955 ft
Ice Mountain/Three ApostlesThree Apostles
Northern Grassy SlopesMt. Harvard
Northern grassy slopesSilver King Peak



You will find a bunch of boulders on the very top.

Summit of Peak 12955 ftSummit
The summit of Peak 12955 ftSummit



Views from the summit.

Turner Peak and Peak 12956 ftTurner Peak & Peak 12956 ft
Mounts Princeton & AnteroMounts Princeton & Antero

 

Mt. Columbia and Kroenke LakeMt. Columbia & Kroenke Lake
Mt. YaleMt. Yale

 

Mts. Harvard, Oxford & BelfordMts. Harvard, Oxford & Belford
Three ApostlesThree Apostles

 

Mts. Harvard & ColumbiaMts. Harvard & Columbia

 

Red Tape

No fees or permits required.




Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

Sawatch RangeMountains & Rocks
 
Colorado 12ersMountains & Rocks