South Slopes from Yankee Boy Basin

Cirque Mountain is a thirteener located in the Sneffels Range, part of San Juan Mountains. It lies east of Mount Sneffels, between Kismet and Teakettle. It is separated from Kismet by Dyke Col, which provides the access to the summit of Cirque. 

The mountain is approached from beautiful Yankee Boy Basin, easily accessible by 4WD vehicles. 

The first recorded ascent of this route was in July 1932. Williams, Griffith and Lavender made the first ascent of Kismet via its east ridge (from Dyke Col), and Cirque Mountain via its west ridge (also from Dyke Col). 

Cirque Mountain is probably the easiest peak in the Sneffels range. The hike involves only class 2 walking. Cirque Mountain is not well views when looking from Yankee Boy Basin, you will first see Point 13,500, which you can easily by pass on your way towards the summit of Cirque Mountain. 

From the town of Ouray, head south on US. 550, and turn right onto the Camp Bird Mine road. Cross the upper bridge over the Box Canyon at continue on the dirt road up Canyon Creek to a junction at 4.9 mile. Take the right fork (marked for Yankee Boy Basin), and head up Sneffels Creek to a parking area after 8.3 miles, at 11,350 feet. Note the road becomes progressively rougher as you proceed, and the drive to the parking area mentioned requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is a composting outhouse at the parking (= toilet trailhead). You can either park here, or continue further up the road if you have high clearance 4WD vehicle. Higher you go, rougher the road gets. You can opt to park at any chance you get per your comfort level of this road. I have driven all the way to the end, and if you want to make your outing as short as possible, continue until you get above the Wright's lake. Look for any pull out space and park. 

Nice evening view from Mt. Sneffels showing continuation of Sneffels range east - Kismet, Cirque Mountain, Teakettle, Cofeepot, and Potosi Peak.

Start: "Toilet Trailhead" = meaning dry toilet along 4WD road to Yankee Boy Basin. The road has been lately in good conditions (they opened up more mining in the area, and the mines keep the road in a good shape). Still 4WD vehicle recommended unless you really hate your car. You can make your hike shorter by driving higher up on the road, past the trail for Wright's Lake, and park at small pull offs above a few switchbacks. Don't drive all the way towards the end of the road, which would provide an excellent access for Blue Lake Pass and Mount Sneffels. Look and try to identify Dyke Col - col between Kismet and Cirque Mountain, park on the road below this col. 

Time: half a day in the summer, very long day in the winter (sometimes you need even two days in the winter time, the road is closed past Senator Gulch).

Difficulty: class 2, possibly a couple of class 3 moves below the summit

Description: There is no trail up to Dyky Col, but the grassy slopes offer easy hike/scramble up. It is not too steep and you can find grassy path avoiding the infamous San Juan scree. From Dyke Col there is a faint path with occasional small cairns. It is one of the few walk ups in the area. Point 13,500 is bypassed to the left (north). You will encounter a very short section of scrambling at 13,400 feet, just below the summit. The register is on the western summit. A long section of this hike is above 13,000 feet, so pay attention to weather changes. Enjoy. The route is pretty straight forward.