San Luis Peak

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 7/3/2026, By: cptzizu
Info: Yall are cooked gpx tagged 5k elevation gain at 11.46miles. Please fix the TH elevation listing I would not have done this 14er had I known it was 5k elevation gain. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/3/2026, By: the_hare
Info: Came up around the south side of Organ Peak on the Colorado Trail & down standard. Only a temporary whiff of smoke on the approach but otherwise all clear. Tons of sky pilots in bloom on the upper hillsides near San Luis. CFI working on check-steps near & past treeline, thank you to the crew!

Second creek crossing is deep, seemed like at least a foot or so, but Outback crossed fine. Crazy difference in smoke driving to/from in just a day--day before only the southern Sawatch mountain valleys, northern Arkansas valley & near Monarch Pass were smoky, on the way back the northernmost SLV & whole Arkansas river valley were thick with smoke. Wetterhorn & Unc swirling with thick smoke as seen from San Luis summit as well 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 6/23/2026, By: Bsaw
Info: No spikes needed. Beautiful trail with gorgeous views and flowers in bloom. Clocked 11.76 miles and 3,451 feet of gain from the 4WD Trailhead. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/15/2026, By: Avs0
Info: Trail was snow free and full summer conditions. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/7/2026, By: prddraper
Info: Flowers in bloom, only one very small bit of snow to walk across, beautiful hike. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/7/2026, By: qkuech
Info: Climbed 6/6 in basically full summer conditions with one tiny snow crossing around mile 5.2. Great camping spots along the road approaching the trailhead. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 6/5/2026, By: avery_harris
Info: Climbed the south face and conditions were really good for early season. We had to cross some snow patches with a little post holing but nothing too bad. Completed the whole hike in trail runners and had no issues. Definitely don’t need micro-spikes or gators anymore for the season unless we get another snow. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 5/31/2026, By: katarinaa452
Info: Hiked San Luis Peak via the West Willow Creek TH the morning of 5/30. Wildlife was abundant throughout the day. I observed multiple moose, a herd of elk, and several deer along the route.

The trail is largely dry from the trailhead through most of the initial sections. Conditions begin to change after joining the Continental Divide Trail and descending into the basin below treeline. Early in the morning, sections of the trail consisted of frozen mud and frozen tread. By afternoon, those same areas had softened considerably into slushy, muddy conditions.

The primary remaining snow is found between approximately 12,200 and 12,500 feet, trekking through down into the basin leading to the saddle near Pt. 13,155. Expect several snowfields across this section. Snow was firm and supportive during the morning ascent, but softened significantly on the descent. I experienced a few postholes while returning in the afternoon.

I completed the route in trail runners and never felt the need to use microspikes or an ice axe. Trekking poles were very helpful, however, especially for balance and stability while crossing the snowfields.

Above 12,500 ft., conditions are dry all the way to the summit. Weather was clear, views were outstanding, and overall travel was straightforward. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/26/2026, By: mmcgarity
Info: The trail is in fantastic shape for this time of year. We summitted on Memorial Day and we only saw one other couple on the trail. It is clear of snow except for 3-4 really short (less than 100') snow fields. No spikes, no gaiters, all dry and wonderful. There are a few new deadfalls on the trail inside of the tree line, but those are normal and no big deal, an easy step over or around. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 5/26/2026, By: lukedog
Info: Summited the top of the South Ridge route while going SOBO on the CO Trail segment 20. Excellent conditions from where I joined, at about 12,600. A few snowfields but none significant and all easy to avoid. I didn't use spikes, floatation or anything else. Close to summer conditions. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/24/2026, By: kellynowlen20
Info: Summer conditions! Two to three spots of snow headed to the saddle but easily avoidable and on the way back it really was not that muddy. Road was easy in almost any vehicle, the second creek was about a foot of water and I was nervous in my 2003 Honda Pilot but it was a breeze. The trailhead is just on the side of the road, and fit three cars parked on the shoulder OR you can drive .25 down and there are bathrooms at the other trailhead (can’t remember what it’s called) although I highly recommend finding a dispersed camping spot right before the trailhead. I had THE BEST spot on the left right before the trailhead. Started at 6:45am (a little later then I usually like to do but I was scared of the dark, nay, the animals in the dark lol) and didn’t see a single person the whole 14miles on Saturday. Just me, myself, two beavers, lots of deer, and a healthy coyote. The trail is straightforward so just follow it I suppose. Summited around 10:30am, on the way back I tried glissading down a few snow banks but it didn’t work, sad day. Easy to go around the snow and avoids the mud. Back to the car around 1pm. Great trip!! 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 5/17/2026, By: acctforfun
Info: 1/2 dry, but there are still many snow fields as you dip into the basins that the route takes you through. I started later so that made for a post hole filled and muddy day. 12.5k+ and the ridgeline has dry summer like conditions.

The middle section isn’t close to melting out yet. There is a lot of mud. Great moody day, and the trail itself seems to be in good condition 

Route: High route (point fest)
Posted On: 3/12/2026, By: halfapackofapache
Info: Was able to drive my 2wd van to roughly 1 mi from equity mine. Didn’t need snowshoes as I stayed high all day to avoid deep snow in the basins on standard route. Mixed bag terrain including snow, ice, dry, & wet. Just depended on the aspect and which way the wind was blowing. Took my spikes on and off several times throughout the day. Feels like spring with the high temps, especially below treeline. Wet and muddy once back in the trees and on the road. Cold & windy up high. 

Route: Equity Mine
Posted On: 2/9/2026, By: angry
Info: Good overnight freeze allowed for booting the entire route. My group of 3 opted not to use flotation/traction. A few annoying downed trees but otherwise cruiser. 11 miles rt, 5130’ gain from where I pulled off the road. 

Route: West Ridge from Creede
Posted On: 2/7/2026, By: CaptainSuburbia
Info: I parked 1.25 miles up the 4x4 road from the intersection of Bachelor and 503. Booted to the trailhead and then transitioned to snowshoes. I followed a nice track all the way to base of ridge. Most of the ridge was dry.