Mt. Shavano

Overview Photos Routes Map Trip Reports FAQ

Mount Shavano is a prominent southern Sawatch Range peak rising above Salida, famous for its "Angel of Shavano" snow feature. The standard Class 2 East Slopes route begins at the Shavano/Tabeguache Trailhead, accessible via rough roads that recommend a high-clearance vehicle. Exceptional free dispersed camping is available along the approach, though hikers must bring their own water. Thanks to a massive, multi-year Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) project, the main trail now features sustainably engineered stone staircases to prevent alpine erosion.

Many hikers combine Shavano with its neighbor, Tabeguache Peak, via a high-altitude connecting ridge. Adding Tabeguache creates a demanding endurance challenge, tacking on an extra 2.5 miles and requiring a 1,000-foot re-climb back over Shavano's sub-ridge during the return trip.

Elevation 14,230' (LiDAR)

Prev Elevation 14,229'

CO 14er Rank 17 of 53

Range Sawatch

Forest San Isabel

Lat / Lon 38.61909, -106.23929

County Chaffee

Towns Salida, Poncha Springs, Buena Vista

Planning Weather
Conditions (8/29/2026)
Cell Reception

More Member Ascents (12,047)
GPX Library (29)
Climb Times

Other 14ers in Group

Tabeguache Peak

Photos

360° Summit Pano

Member Contributed Photos

Peak 62 Aerial Photos 1 Sunrise and Sunsets 4 Wildflowers, plants, trees 3 Wildlife in Colorado 5 Rocks, geology 2

Climbing Routes

		Mt. Shavano - East Slopes Standard Route Difficulty: Class 2 Total Elevation Gain: 4,500' Round-trip Distance: 10 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Low Commitment: Moderate
		Tabeguache Peak - Via Mt. Shavano Standard Route Difficulty: Class 2 Total Elevation Gain: 5,600' Round-trip Distance: 12 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Considerable
		Tabeguache Peak - West Ridge Difficulty: Class 2 Total Elevation Gain: 4,000' Round-trip Distance: 8 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Considerable Route-Finding: Considerable Commitment: Considerable
		Mt. Shavano - Angel of Shavano Difficulty: Class 2 Easy Snow Total Elevation Gain: 4,600' Round-trip Distance: 8 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Considerable Commitment: Moderate

Map

Trip Reports

8 Recent Reports	Peaks	Climbed	Added
Shavano East Slopes By: VegasinCR Peak(s): Mt. Shavano Added: 7/30/2026	Mt. Shavano	7/16/2026	7/30/2026	2	16
Shav and Tab: A Delicious Duo By: callmeforni Peak(s): Mt. Shavano, Tabeguache Peak Added: 5/25/2026	Mt. Shavano Tabeguache Peak	5/24/2026	5/25/2026	4	9
Jones to Espirit loop By: MMAfightingClimber Peak(s): Jones Peak, Unnamed 13702, Tabeguache Peak, Mt. Shavano, "Esprit Point" Added: 5/1/2026	Jones Peak Unnamed 13702 Tabeguache Peak Mt. Shavano "Esprit Point"	9/25/2025	5/1/2026	5	9
Shavano New East Slopes By: communityhalibut Peak(s): Mt. Shavano Added: 11/23/2025	Mt. Shavano	11/22/2025	11/23/2025	4	4
Make it fun, make it interesting By: dirtyleafe Peak(s): Jones Peak, Unnamed 13712, Tabeguache Peak, Mt. Shavano Added: 9/6/2025	Jones Peak Unnamed 13712 Tabeguache Peak Mt. Shavano	9/3/2025	9/6/2025	7	12
Shav & Tab Combo via West Ridge By: Hyzer Peak(s): Mt. Shavano, Tabeguache Peak Added: 7/10/2025	Mt. Shavano Tabeguache Peak	7/9/2025	7/10/2025	6	4
Shav and Tab By: BlackCatzShred Peak(s): Mt. Shavano, Tabeguache Peak Added: 6/30/2025	Mt. Shavano Tabeguache Peak	6/30/2025	6/30/2025	6	5
Shavano & Tabeguache feelin hot hot hot By: Woody23 Peak(s): Mt. Shavano Added: 6/22/2025	Mt. Shavano	6/21/2025	6/22/2025	2	5

View All 274 Trip Reports

Frequently Asked Questions about Mt. Shavano

What is the standard route for Mount Shavano and can standard cars reach it?

The standard is the East Slopes route starting from the Shavano/Tabeguache Trailhead off Forest Road 252, previously called the "Blank Cabin" trailhead. While the dirt roads are wide and passable for most vehicles with good clearance, it does have very rocky sections, and can become rutted on the steep portions. A good-clearance 4WD or AWD vehicle is strongly recommended to reach the upper parking lot safely without scraping.

Is there camping available near the Mount Shavano trailhead?

Yes, the approach corridor along Chaffee County Road 250 and Forest Road 252 features exceptional camping options. Because the lower sections of the road sit on federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, there is no-charge dispersed car camping at over 80 designated, signed sites. If you prefer to camp closer to the trailhead, there is a large meadow just past the trailhead, with plenty of places to set up camp. Just note there is no water source in the area.

Was the standard trail up Mount Shavano recently updated?

Yes, the standard East Slopes route has undergone a massive, multi-year trail reconstruction and rerouting project by the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI). To bypass a severely eroded social path that was causing extensive resource damage, trail crews constructed miles of entirely new, sustainably graded trail. Major lower and upper bypass sections are open, moving hikers out of sensitive riparian fall lines and loose talus into engineered stone staircases and switchbacks.

How much extra work is it to get Tabeguache Peak after summiting Shavano?

Adding Tabeguache Peak turns your day into a much more demanding endurance challenge, requiring you to re-climb over Shavano on the way back. The peaks are connected by a high-altitude connecting ridge. Dropping down from Shavano to the saddle and climbing the to Tabeguache adds about 2.5 miles round-trip and 1,000 feet of extra vertical elevation gain—meaning you have to hike up and over Shavano's sub-ridge a second time, then you still have 5 miles to get back to the trailhead.

Additional Mt. Shavano History

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