San Luis Peak Trip Report 08/31/2015

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	San Luis Peak - 14,023 feet
Date Posted	08/31/2015
Date Climbed	08/24/2015
Author	ajlavigne

San Luis Peak - South Ridge from West Willow Creek
W Willow Creek Rd (503) is the way to go. We came in through Creede from the east on 149 and followed 503 north and then chose the Bachelor Rd (504) exit route, which was longer, rougher, and less defined (IMO). On 503 just remember to stay left at both forks coming in. The more intense 4wd road is on the left just before reaching the Equity Mine at the end of 503. This part of the road is much steeper and depending on recent weather & the season could be pretty intense. I had a trail-rated FJ and did fine; the only other car that we saw over 24hrs at that 4wd TH was a VW Touareg (which impressed me). Be prepared for 6-8" of standing water, mud, and the mid-angle stream crossing. There are a few smaller tent spots at this TH (with one fire-ring) and water access - all of which was very clean and seemed seldom used (so let's keep it that way). Just be prepared for flies and mosquitoes. The TH is marked with 2 'sticks' planted in the ground to the north of the parking area (to the left side of Photo 1 or see Bill's Route #2, Photo 2 for San Luis). You'll walk through the shallow runnoff-stream on the road and a short way down the trail turn right cross the stream (on rocks) on your way to the initial climb up past the right (southeast) side pt. 12,540. This trail is one of the steeper 14er-intros I've done, but is well defined until you approach the first saddle. It fades out as the willows dissipate (see Photo 2) - we had to circle to the left a short distance and find a log-pole marker to a foot-path that descends to the CO trail (although most of the saddle terrain is crossable). From there it heads southeast through a small forest and contours two basins - it is very easy to follow all the way to the summit ridge. Useful beta - There are several streams along this route that allow for water filtering/purification - refilling a squeeze pouch filter at each one, I only drank a liter of the water I packed in. We started at 7, reached the summit at 11:30, and were done by 2:30 (with a slow pace as weather was great, and stopped on the way up to chat with a couple and their dog Simba - whose paws had seen better days). Photos 3 & 4 looks down from the summit ridge and show much of the terrain in the two bowls. Photo 5 looks to the north-northeast and shows a short portion of the northeast ridge route. Photo 6 shows pt 12798, which would be the first/last high pt if you wanted to do the route over points 13155, 12935, and 13285. That ridgeline looks awesome (supposed class 3), but I wouldn't want to solo it (not yet anyway) - see Photo 7 for more of that ridgeline. No GPS in my gear yet - Quad map shows the CT portion, just missing the initial climb up by pt 12,540 & the summit ridge (this part is well marked by cairns). Not a difficult climb by any means, but the saddle crossings (2 each way) make this a long '11' mile hike. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

San Luis Peak - South Ridge from West Willow Creek

W Willow Creek Rd (503) is the way to go. We came in through Creede from the east on 149 and followed 503 north and then chose the Bachelor Rd (504) exit route, which was longer, rougher, and less defined (IMO). On 503 just remember to stay left at both forks coming in. The more intense 4wd road is on the left just before reaching the Equity Mine at the end of 503. This part of the road is much steeper and depending on recent weather & the season could be pretty intense. I had a trail-rated FJ and did fine; the only other car that we saw over 24hrs at that 4wd TH was a VW Touareg (which impressed me). Be prepared for 6-8" of standing water, mud, and the mid-angle stream crossing. There are a few smaller tent spots at this TH (with one fire-ring) and water access - all of which was very clean and seemed seldom used (so let's keep it that way). Just be prepared for flies and mosquitoes.

The TH is marked with 2 'sticks' planted in the ground to the north of the parking area (to the left side of Photo 1 or see Bill's Route #2, Photo 2 for San Luis). You'll walk through the shallow runnoff-stream on the road and a short way down the trail turn right cross the stream (on rocks) on your way to the initial climb up past the right (southeast) side pt. 12,540. This trail is one of the steeper 14er-intros I've done, but is well defined until you approach the first saddle. It fades out as the willows dissipate (see Photo 2) - we had to circle to the left a short distance and find a log-pole marker to a foot-path that descends to the CO trail (although most of the saddle terrain is crossable). From there it heads southeast through a small forest and contours two basins - it is very easy to follow all the way to the summit ridge.

Useful beta - There are several streams along this route that allow for water filtering/purification - refilling a squeeze pouch filter at each one, I only drank a liter of the water I packed in. We started at 7, reached the summit at 11:30, and were done by 2:30 (with a slow pace as weather was great, and stopped on the way up to chat with a couple and their dog Simba - whose paws had seen better days).

Photos 3 & 4 looks down from the summit ridge and show much of the terrain in the two bowls. Photo 5 looks to the north-northeast and shows a short portion of the northeast ridge route. Photo 6 shows pt 12798, which would be the first/last high pt if you wanted to do the route over points 13155, 12935, and 13285. That ridgeline looks awesome (supposed class 3), but I wouldn't want to solo it (not yet anyway) - see Photo 7 for more of that ridgeline.

No GPS in my gear yet - Quad map shows the CT portion, just missing the initial climb up by pt 12,540 & the summit ridge (this part is well marked by cairns). Not a difficult climb by any means, but the saddle crossings (2 each way) make this a long '11' mile hike.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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