Horseshoe Mountain

From Fairplay, drive just over a mile south on U.S. 285 and turn right onto County Road 18. Drive 10 miles and pass the Leavick site, at 11,250'. Continue another 2 miles to reach the trailhead at a gate and small parking area. The road becomes a bit more rough as you approach the end, but it's usually ok for most SUVs and good clearance vehicles. If this upper lot is full, you will see it as you approach and can park in one of the pull-offs lower down the road.

This simple hike follows a 4wd road and subsequent trail all the way to Horseshoe's summit. While driving up the Fourmile Creek road, locate a 4wd road on the left, near 11,600' and approx. 0.75 mile past the Leavick site. The 4wd road goes all the way to 13,200'. Park here (2wd) or drive 0.5 mile up the 4wd road to locate a small parking area on a corner - 1. Walk up the road ( 2) and Horseshoe comes into view near 12,000' - 3. Pass some mine ruins near 12,600' ( 4) and zigzag west to the end of the road at the Horseshoe-Peerless saddle - 5, 6 and 7.

From the 13,200-foot saddle, turn south to see the remaining route up Horseshoe - 8. Walk past some mine prospect holes and locate a trail leading up Horseshoe's northeast ridge - 9. Hike approx. 800' of elevation up the ridge ( 10 and 11) to reach the summit - 12 and 13. On your descent, you can add 13,348-foot Peerless Mountain by hiking a short distance north from the Horseshoe-Peerless saddle - 14 and 15. It's less than 200' of elevation gain, Class 2 and provides good views of 14er Mt. Sherman and surrounding 13ers - 16.

The Fourmile Creek winter closure is approx. 1.75 miles below the turn-off for the 4wd road to Horseshoe.