Looking for a REALLY easy 13er near Buena Vista

[DaveLanders]

Turner Peak has a high trailhead off the Cottonwood Pass road. It's Class 1 or easy Class 2 at the most.

[JeffR]

Hmmm... don't know if you'll find much meeting your requirements. By "easy", I assume you're talking class 1-2, about 1000+ elevation gain? If so, you'll need a TH at >12K, which there are very few of (and even fewer are 2WD-capable). And easy approaches are scarce in the Sawatch in general.

How about some nice 12ers instead?

[Mark A Steiner]

I can't think of anything close or easy meeting your qualities even if you start from Cottonwood Pass (12,126'). Of course, even a leisurely stroll along the Divide in either direction would be great exercise with fine scenery to boot.

Otherwise you probably should avoid Buena Vista. You can't miss with Sniktau or Cupid from Loveland Pass, and you get the same leisurely hiking opportunity with magnificent scenery in all directions.

Anyone done any 13er hiking from Independence Pass (W of Leadville, N of Buena Vista)?

[MikeyC]

I seem to remember thinking that there were some easier looking routes from the top of independence when I was parked up there last year with my folks. I couldn't tell you what peaks they were but they were pretty high. I think you could take a ridge run up there and you really can't beat the views! Just a thought.

-Mike

[Rich H]

W Buffalo Pk from the 4 mile crk trail...

[RobertPetrowsky]

Hiking to the small peak south of Independence Pass gives a great view of Grizzly Peak and only takes 45 minutes to an hour. Otherwise you can do Cottonwood Pass. It has a little more up and down to get to a 13er and its a bit farther but the views to Ice Mountain are the best in the state. Loveland pass to cupid is the most straight forward 13er climb I have ever done and it is only about half an hour walk.

[rijaca]

I seem to remember thinking that there were some easier looking routes from the top of independence when I was parked up there last year with my folks. I couldn't tell you what peaks they were but they were pretty high. I think you could take a ridge run up there and you really can't beat the views! Just a thought.

-Mike

Hiking to the small peak south of Independence Pass gives a great view of Grizzly Peak and only takes 45 minutes to an hour. Otherwise you can do Cottonwood Pass. It has a little more up and down to get to a 13er and its a bit farther but the views to Ice Mountain are the best in the state. Loveland pass to cupid is the most straight forward 13er climb I have ever done and it is only about half an hour walk.

UN 13,500 and Twining (Blue) Peak (13,711') are easy hikes north from the top of Independence Pass.

And I agree on the great view of Grizzly...

Grizzly Peak.small.jpg (126.91 KiB) Viewed 3403 times

[Jim Davies]

You could try Weston Peak and/or Ptarmigan Peak from Weston Pass. These would be similar to Sniktau in effort, but closer to BV. The pass is 11,900' and accessible to passenger cars from the east side.
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[CO Native]

Twining is the only one reasonably nearby that I can think of that will meet the requirements as well.

[JeffR]

Forgot about IP. Twining would be a good goal because you could summit Pt. 13500 and you've got your 13er even if you decide you didn't want to press on to Twining.

[highpilgrim]

Take her up the old railroad grade to the apline tunnel. Easy car access to a high trail head, easy four percent grade all the way to the tunnel, a moderately steep hike a couple of hundred vert to the pass and an equally short hike down the othe side to the historical stuff there. Four miles one way, eight about round trip. It's easily accessed from the BV area.

And it passes through the "ghost town" of Saint Elmo. It's not exactly what you asked for, but it gets you up pretty high with a kid friendly hike and some history to boot. My kids all liked it when they were her age or younger.

[Floyd]

Thanks so much for the info. I know that it sounds like a tall order. I might have to settle for a 12'er or some such mountain (which is OK with me). Thanks again.

Sean Nunn
Raytown MO

Heading the other way, Pennsylvania Mountain near Sherman is very easy. ~4 miles and 1,200 feet.