LoJ: #369 (Pre-LiDAR #372) / 13,330' West Buffalo Peak

Range › Mosquito Range
Quadrangle › Marmot Peak
Summit Location › Peak Route Icon N 38° 59' 30.59", W 106° 07' 29.44" (Not Field Checked)
Neighboring Peaks › Peak Icon East Buffalo Peak

Peak Summary

Here's an easy way to pick up two 13er summits ranked in the Top 400. The twin Buffalo Peaks offer an easy Class 2 walk-up ascent amid isolated terrain. These peaks do not have a direct connection to any other 13ers. With 4WD, this can be a "family-friendly," short-mileage hike with some possible wildlife viewing and probably no one else on the peaks. Passenger car access can lengthen the overall mileage significantly depending on your willingness to abuse your vehicle. Lidar added 4 feet of elevation.

West Buffalo SE Ridge Route

Class 2
Peak Icon Peak Icon
Medium Day // Take a Lunch
Climbed with East Buffalo Peak
RT From Buffalo Peaks Mine: 6.4 mi / 2,410'
From East Buffalo Peak: 1.10 mi / 510' (One-Way)
  • Trailhead
    • Buffalo Peaks Mine TH

      Note: 9/2024 Per a report submitted by Tom Mowie, FR 436 is now closed at the junction with FR 436.2A. This adds 1.8 miles one way to the trip length and an additional 1,100 feet of elevation gain.
      We now suggest accessing the east and west Buffalo summits from the north by using FR 431. At this time, we have not driven or hiked this route, so better information will be available in 2025 (we hope). Until then, you may want to consult other sources found on 14ers.com or Lists of John. Until we can provide another route, we will still maintain the old access for those who might wish to access these peaks from a more remote location.

      From Johnson’s Corner, a little over 2.5 miles south of Buena Vista, drive east and north on US285 over Trout Creek Pass and continue to the intersection of US285 and where US 24 heads of to the east at "Antero Junction." Continue north 1.9 miles on 285 to the turnoff to the west for the Salt Creek Road (FR435). If coming from Fairplay, drive appx. 19 miles south on US 285 to FR435. Follow FR435 4.5 miles west to a junction of FR435 and FR436. Go left onto FR436. The road climbs up a hill by a couple of switchbacks and at 2.1 miles from the previous junction comes to another intersection just before it crosses the South Fork of Salt Creek. Go ahead and continue over the creek on FR436. At the next two intersections, stay left on what becomes FR436-1A, then right (according to a recent source who corrected our directions). Follow the road to an old mining area and probably park at or above the mine about 2.8 miles from the creek crossing. Check our map link for an interactive map.

      On FR435, there are any number of at-large campsites and on up FR436. Up to the intersection of FR435 & 436, the road should be fairly easy. Once on FR436, it will begin to degrade until it becomes mostly 4WD single track. It was not too rocky but showed signs of muddy potholes.

    Approach Map Photos
    • From East Buffalo Peak

      Before attempting this route, see trailhead notes about the road access, updated 9/2024.

      East Buffalo Peak is sequenced with West Buffalo (Marmot Peak). It would make little sense to climb only one of these twin summits. There are also several ways these peaks can be approached. What appears to be a preferred route for Front Range peakbaggers is to drive in eight miles on FR471, which is 12.4 miles south out of Fairplay on US285. The trailhead used for that access is the Lynch Creek. There is also a direct access out of Buena Vista on a combination of County and Forest Service Roads 371 and 375 to the Four Mile TH. There are multiple reports of these other routes on SummitPost and 14ers.com. The access we used in 1995 offers a third option but is best done with 4WD. While we did not find the road access to be particularly rugged, a 4WD vehicle would offer the most assurance of making it to the old mine site near 11,320 ft. Also be aware that there are some private property inholdings in this area and respect them, especially if camping.

      From the car park, probably at or near the old mine, continue following the old roadbed as it heads north, then west to gain the broad south ridge of East Buffalo Peak. Once on the ridge, follow it to the east summit on mostly grassy tundra observing the enormous giant thistles that seem to prefer this area. Higher up the tundra will give way to steeper & looser rock, kind of a combination of larger boulders somewhat embedded in the grassy tundra and then, even more loose rock on a steeper slope higher up. Both summits are volcanic in origin. You may want to identify volcanic features as you make this hike. There may be game/goat trails that will lead through the rock. As you near the summit ridge, the angle of ascent will become more tolerable and you can finish on tundra to the large, somewhat flat summit covered in tundra and embedded rocks. From this summit, most will want to continue northwest to West Buffalo Peak.

      If you don't like the direct ascent up the south ridge of East Buffalo, it is reportedly easier to head toward the saddle between the two Buffalo summits. From the saddle, follow the connecting ridge to each summit, then return by the same approach. This will involve more mileage (not a significant amount) & contouring.

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    Peak Icon Route Map

    Route Info West Buffalo SE Ridge

    Route Description

    Year Climbed: 1995

    West Buffalo Peak is sequenced with East Buffalo Peak. It would hardly make sense to climb one and not the other. The one-way distance and elevation gain to West Buffalo are measured from the summit of East Buffalo. There are other approaches to these peaks from the north and the west that do not require 4WD. See East Buffalo Peak for a brief description.

    For West Buffalo Peak, follow the connecting ridge west from East Buffalo to the saddle and then up to the west summit. The descent to the saddle will start out rocky, then turn to more tundra. The north side of the connecting ridge drops off severely at times into a tundra & forested bowl, the remnants of an ancient glacial cirque. Don’t turn right. From the saddle, stay on the ridge crest for the most part to the west summit. At times, it will become rather narrow & precipitous on the north side. There are some nice slabs at one point. As you near the west summit, the hiking will become easier, though it never is difficult – just a little entertaining. The lower part is rocky with more tundra toward the top, but the west summit is smaller, still flat and covered in rock. All along the hike, you may see ample bighorn sheep droppings and if observant, you may actually see some at a distance. Deer and elk may also be spotted. Watch carefully in the cirque.

    For the descent, return to the connecting saddle between the two peaks and then contour SE over to the south ridge of the east peak to find the old roadbed and return to your vehicle.


    Additional BETA

    Links to other information, routes & trip reports for this peak that may be helpful.
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