The Stage 3 fire and access restrictions to the San Juan National Forest have been rolled back to a Stage 2 condition which means access to the forest is once more open to the public. However, fire conditions still remain high and we are currently in the middle of a strong heat wave. Consult current regulations with the San Juan NF before planning any trips. Fines for violations are significant.
LoJ: #225 (G & M: #226) UN 13540 UN 13540 B
N 37° 57' 42.60", W 107° 29' 44.10"
(Not Field Checked)
"Gudy Peak"
UN 13427
"C.T. Peak/UN 13312 A"
Peak Summary
UN13,540 B SW & East Ridges Route
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Cinnamon Pass Trailhead
From Lake City, proceed south on HWY 149 and take the turnoff to the right for Lake San Cristobal. Continue south around the lake and follow CR3 (BLM 3306) past the Williams Creek and Mill Creek campgrounds to the intersection at Sherman. (On Trails Illustrated, this is CR30) Road to here is drivable for standard passenger cars. Take the right fork and begin a steeper ascent into the upper valley. Higher clearance vehicles now advisable. It's a little over 3 miles to the Silver Creek/Grizzly Gulch trail heads used for accessing Sunshine, Redcloud and Handies. Continue just about one more mile to the trailhead for Cooper Creek. There is some parking on the west side just after crossing the creek or continue a little further to these coordinates (N 37° 56' 37.57" W 107° 28' 18.36") for another parking spot and the beginning of an old roadbed that leads north, then east to gain a bench above Cooper Creek. Drop one vehicle here, then continue driving on to the summit of Cinnamon Pass. After the turnoff for American Basin, the road begins to climb more steeply and becomes rougher. Park just on the west side of the pass.
Camping
There are designated, forest service campgrounds at Williams Creek and Mill Creek CG. There's also some primitive sites around Sherman. Once above Sherman, additional primitive sites may be found at the TH for Sunshine, Redcloud and Handies and again near the TH for Cooper Creek. You may even be able to find some other primitive sites or just road pull-outs further up the road past Cooper Creek and up into American Basin, but be aware of some private property issues.
Route Description
Year Climbed: 1996This summit is part of a two-vehicle shuttle description that includes UN13,427; UN13,312 and Gudy Peak. Mileage from Cinnamon Pass to UN13,540 B is about 3.4 with 1,650 feet of elevation gain. This route description will first take you over the summit of UN13,427 following a high ridge that leads over to UN13,540 B. If completing the entire circuit, total mileage will be 8.5 and total elevation gained will be 3,050 ft.
From the parking area near the top of Cinnamon Pass, stroll across tundra NNE toward Pt.13,112. Contour around the point a little below the 13,000 foot level, then contour across the head of Cleveland Gulch. You will encounter some rocky gullies soon after rounding below the point. It is best to stay high and above the head of these gullies. Passing both through rubble, talus and tundra, skirt below the summit of UN13,250 on the south slopes and you should be able to pick up an old mining road that will lead up to the saddle between UN13,250 and UN13,427. Continue east on mostly tundra to the summit of UN13,427. One summit down.
From this first summit, head down to the east following the ridge crest, descending on steep tundra to the next saddle, which comes quickly. Then proceed east and NE to the summit of UN13,540 B. If staying on the ridge crest, you'll have to walk over at least three minor summits before one final saddle and the last nearly 200 foot gain to the true summit. Along the way, the tundra will give way to much more rocky conditions along the summit ridge. Watch your step. From the summit, enjoy the expansive views of the San Juan Mountains stretching out all around you and gaze down into the Lake Fork of the Gunnison far below. Then decide if you want to turn around here or continue to UN13,312.
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