Mount Spalding · East Ridge

Difficulty

Class 2

Risk Factors

ExposureModerate
RockfallModerate
Route-FindingModerate
CommitmentLow

TrailheadBlue Sky Summit Lake 12,850 feet

Summit13,863 feet

Elevation Gain1,025 ft

Length Round-TripRT2.5 mi

Peak Conditions24 reports

Downloads

GPX

Route Last Updated: May 2023

Trailhead

Take Exit 240 at Idaho Springs on Interstate 70. Drive south on Colorado 103 for 13.5 miles to Echo Lake. Show your reservation and drive 9 miles up the Mt. Blue Sky road (Colorado 5) to the signed Summit Lake parking area.

Route Description

From the Summit Lake parking area, walk north past an old rock building to locate the trail which leads toward the north end of the lake - 1 and 2. Hike to the north end of the lake and locate a signed trail that climbs up Spalding's east ridge - 3.

Follow the steep trail up through rocks ( 4) to reach easier terrain on the ridge - 5. Continue on the trail and, near 13,200', stay left of the ridge crest in order to bypass more difficult terrain up to the right. Near 13,300' ( 7), climb back toward the ridge crest. Taken from the summit of Blue Sky, 8 provides a broad view of the route. Pop out on the ridge crest near 13,400' to reach easier terrain - 9. Cross a small trough and continue along the rocky ridge ( 10) to reach the summit - 11 and 12.

Maps

JPG Image

Interactive Map & 3D Flythrough

Photos

Weather

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Mount Spalding · East Ridge

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