LoJ: Not Ranked / 12,992' UN 12992 Formerly UN 13010 B
N 37° 36' 22.42", W 107° 14' 43.60"
(Not Field Checked)
Chief Mountain
Peak Summary
We are leaving this summit on the list because it was previously regarded as a 13er with a USGS map elevation of 13,010 ft. However, Lidar has demoted it out of the 13er ranks to a high 12er with an elevation of 12,992 ft. Some may still want to climb this summit because of its proximity to Chief Mountain. While UN 12992 could be done as a very long day-hike from Rio Grande Reservoir, we think most mere mortals will opt to reach this summit along with Chief Mountain by way of a backpack approach. A three-day trip can net both summits and a few 12ers if you have the additional energy. Both are fairly easy Class 2 hikes, but with up to an 11 mile backpack approach. The trailhead is accessible to most any passenger vehicle. The hiking is very remote in a forest largely dead because of beetle-kill.
UN 12992 SE Ridge & flank Route
-
-
Thirtymile Campground TH
The access road to Thirtymile Campground and Rio Grande Reservoir turns off from SH149 either 20.5 miles west from Creede or 32 miles south from Lake City. The turnoff is marked by a road sign. From Lake City, you'll have to drive over Slumgullion Pass and Spring Creek Pass. This remote access for Rio Grande Pyramid and other 13er summits nearby makes these peaks some of the most distant for climbers coming from both the eastern and western slopes of Colorado, requiring multiple hours of driving.
Watch for FR520/CR18 turning off to the west side of highway 149. Initially, the road is paved as it drops down to a small reservoir where it turns NNW and turns to graded dirt. Shortly after that, stay left at an intersection. For the most part, stay on the most well-travelled road to get to Rio Grande Reservoir. Most major intersections are signed. So at about 3.5 miles from the highway, stay left and head south. In the next mile you'll come to Road Canyon Reservoir #1 where there is a National Forest Fee campground along the side of the road at the south end of the reservoir with a vault toilet and a half dozen sites or so. Continue on past the River Hill CG another 3.4 miles SW and then you'll arrive at the Thirtymile CG at 10.8 miles from the highway. Both Thirtymile and River Hill campgrounds are also Forest Service, fee campgrounds with vault toilets, tables, firerings and potable water. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov.
To access the campground, you'll need to drive south across the river on a good bridge. There's a grassy/dirt parking area intended for backpackers and hikers on the north side of the main road into the campground. For the actual trailhead, you'll need to walk south from the parking area, crossing the other side of the road that loops through and then walk a little farther south from there. The trailhead serves as access for both Squaw Creek and Weminuche Creek. There is a kiosk there for registering your activity.
Camping
Camping sites at Thirtymile CG and River Hill CG are available and can even be reserved online at www.recreation.gov. There's also another campground at the far west end of Rio Grande Reservoir called "Lost Trail CG," but you would have to drive back from there to access the Weminuche Creek Trail or the Squaw Creek Trail. On the drive in from the highway, there are not very many primitive sites that show. Several roads that turn off the main road lead to private property.
Campsite Locations
Thirtymile Campground › N 37° 43' 17.62", W 107° 15' 33.40"Campground elevation is 9,330 ft.
-
From Thirtymile Campground TH via Squaw Pass
This approach shares the same trailhead as the approach/trail to Weminuche Pass. At the trailhead kiosk, the trail to Squaw Pass #814 heads almost directly south. The trail is well-used and maintained at least as far as the turnoff for Squaw Lake. Beyond that point, it tends to become obscured in some marshy areas where tall grass overgrows the trail. From the kiosk where you may register your hike/climb, head south. The trail gains steeply the first half mile to where it drops briefly to cross to the east side of Squaw Creek on a sturdy bridge. From that point on, the trail will remain on the east side of the main creek. This is important to remember later on when the trail becomes more obscure.
After the crossing, the trail follows close to but well above the creek. The creek itself passes through a narrow gorge with some impressive cascades and deep pools. Eventually, after more than a mile, the trail enters the upper valley where things level out. From this point on, there is no more steep elevation gain - just a long slog of many miles heading generally south up the open valley. We last visited here in 2018. Before that, 2010. In 2010, the beetle-kill had consumed about 60% of the forest. By 2018, it had consumed perhaps as much as 90% for the full length of this valley. After about 2.25 miles, the Fern Creek trail comes in from the east. It is not easily identifiable. We saw no post or marker. In about 2 more miles, the 2001 Little Squaw Creek quad shows the "Fern Creek Cutoff" trail coming in from the east. We never spotted or noticed this and it does not show on the FSTopo 2016 map.
About 5 miles farther south on the never-ending trail is the turnoff for Squaw Lake. On our last visit, the most well-used trail took you down to the creek, crossed it and then began contouring uphill. The old bridge that was in this area, had been removed. Can't recall if a new one had been built to take it's place but a Google Earth photo from 2016 shows a bridge there at these coordinates: N 37° 38' 40.75" W 107° 14' 13.45". Elevation 10,430 ft. If you wish to continue to Squaw Pass, do not cross the creek here. Watch for a less distinct trail that will continue south on the east side of the creek. It will pass through a marshy area before getting back to drier terrain. If seven miles of backpacking is enough for you, then there is a good campsite if you go ahead and cross the stream, follow the trail briefly as it heads SW and begins gaining a little elevation. See coordinates below for this campsite. We will also mention that this Squaw Lake trail continues from this campsite for 2.6 miles with several major switchbacks up to Squaw Lake, with an elevation gain of 1,140 ft. In 2018, there was a very nice, grassy campsite on the east shore of the lake and south of the outlet. The trees here were all dead so it may not be a good place to stay if windy, but the low-growing grass is so nice, you can take off your shoes/boots and walk around barefoot. By now, we suspect that undergrowth vegetation is taking over. There's also some interesting large, old heavy equipment here.
Continuing on to Squaw Pass, it's another 4 miles. The 1973 Cimarrona Peak quad shows the trial on the west side of Squaw Creek. This is inaccurate. The trail remains on the east side all the way to the pass. At the following coordinates, the trail enters extensive willows and begins to gain elevation: N 37° 36' 45.67" W 107° 13' 00.55". 10,865 ft. The trail punches through fairly tall willows and then intersects the Continental Divide trail #813 at these coordinates: N 37° 36' 22.32" W 107° 12' 52.26". 11,190 ft. This trail intersection is where you can turn off to access Chief Mtn. via the CD trail. (Watch for moose in this area. On our last visit, we saw three bull moose feeding together in the willows.) For possible campsites and access to UN 13,010, continue south from this intersection to the vicinity of Squaw Pass where the combined CD/Squaw Creek trail heads west across some open terrain with lower willows and lots of wildflowers. Some possible campsites may be established in or near the trees on the west side of the pass. This is the terminus of this "approach."
Camping
See approach description above.
Campsite Locations
Squaw Creek Crossing Camp N 37° 38' 35.84", W 107° 14' 13.16"Squaw Lake Trail campsite; elevation 10,490 ft.
Open This Approach in a New Window
Click thumbnail to view full-size photo + captionRoute Description
Year Climbed: 2010From Squaw Pass, follow the Continental Divide Trail # 813, first to the west as it gains elevation, then turn northward toward a higher shelf above the valley with a number of lakes. The CD trail will lead past the two most eastern lakes. We recommend breaking off from the trail shortly after the trail levels and head towards the southernmost of the series of three western lakes, still on this higher shelf level. This lake is a beautiful setting and very photogenic. (The CD trail actually connects to Squaw Lake well to the north so it could be used if you decided to camp at Squaw Lake or the lower campsite at the crossing of Squaw Creek.) The basic plan is to hike on the eastern side of the three unnamed lakes and gain a broad east ridge of UN 12992, then to head up that ridge, connect with the main SE ridge and follow it to the summit.
As you hike NW on from the first lake, you will encounter the two others of similar beauty. Wildflowers are abundant affording many photo ops. Getting around the second lake is somewhat problematic in finding a dry route. Some willows also impede your way, but we did find a route through and continued northwest toward the next lake, which is situated in a bowl with flowers filling a west-facing slope above it. Above this lake is the broad, minor east ridge of the peak that we suggest gaining. As the ridge begins to ascend, there is a boulder field with magnificent clumps of columbine whose color stands out brightly among the rocks. We were tempted to venture near for more photos, but felt more compelled to get to the summit at this point. Continue west hiking along this broad ridge and begin ascending on a tundra-covered slope that steepens greatly. We spotted some ptarmigan here. After about 300 – 400 feet in gain, turn in a more southerly direction and begin a traverse across the east face of the peak, to gain the prominent southeast ridge. At times, we had to do a little scrambling (almost 3rd class moves) as we mounted various rock obstacles, but for the most part, this is a class 2+ ascent on mostly tundra/rock mix. We came out on the southeast ridge just a little above and north of the saddle that connects to Hossick BM. From here, just continue hiking northwest along the ridge. This continues to be mostly tundra covered with rocky outcrops to add some interest at various places. Before long, you will stand on the summit where you may enjoy an outstanding view of this wilderness. You are in an almost central point of this vast area of peaks and grand valleys.
Additional BETA
Links to other information, routes & trip reports for this peak that may be helpful. -
