Stewart Peak

The directions shown here assume you are coming from the north. If you are coming from the San Luis Valley area, drive north on Colorado 114 to Dome Lakes, turn left onto the 15GG road and follow the directions from Dome Lake, below:

• Take U.S. 50 to Colorado 114 which is 3.5 miles west of Parlin and just east Gunnison. It is approximately 47 miles to the trailhead from this intersection.
• Turn south onto Colorado 114.
• Drive 20 miles and turn right onto the NN14 road.
• Now on dirt, drive 6.8 miles to Dome Lakes and turn right onto the 15GG dirt road (also known as FR 794 when you reach National Forest).
• Drive 4 miles to reach a junction and bear right onto the 14DD road (FR 794).
• Continue 12 miles on 14DD to reach a signed junction. NOTE: After 7 miles on the 14DD road, the road crosses Pauline Creek. There are smooth, cement slabs to make the crossing easier but you will still need good-clearance.
• Follow the sign for the Stewart Creek trailhead by continuing straight on FR 794.
• Drive 2.3 miles to the trailhead, just before the road crosses Nutras Creek.

From the corner of the road, walk west into the unmarked trailhead and locate a trail beyond the final parking spots - 1. Hike southwest on the sometimes-faint trail as it parallels Nutras Creek - 2, 3 and 4. If you lose the trail, simply walk along the creek until you pick it up again. Just over 2 miles up, the trail is even more difficult to follow and you'll reach a small creek which comes down from the northwest. Swing right about 50 yards, turn left, cross the small creek ( 5) and walk west a short distance to get back to Nutras Creek. Continue along Nutras a bit further to reach a boulder field and follow the faint trail through the bottom of the rocks to reach the other side of the boulder field - 6 and 7. Parallel Nutras for another 1/4 mile to reach 11,800, near some Bristlecone Pines.

Your next goal is to reach Stewart's east ridge. From 11,800 near the creek, turn right and hike northwest up through the trees - 8 and 9. Continue northwest up through the trees to reach the final Bristlecones, near 12,300' - 10. Once on the ridge, continue northwest/west - 11 and 12. Now with the summit in view, the remaining route is fairly obvious. Bypass a rugged point and regain the ridge at 13,100' - 13 and 14. Now staying on the ridge crest, hike up through some rocky sections ( 15) and then easier terrain to reach the summit - 16, 17 and 18. 19 looks back on the ridge and 20 looks south to 13er Baldy Alto and 14er San Luis Peak.

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