Apr 10
21
San Luis Peak
Distance: 13.8 miles RT (West Willow Creek Trailhead)
Elevation Gain: 4,600′
Starting Elevation: 11,100′
Rating: Difficult
View of San Luis Peak
San Luis Peak is perhaps the least climbed fourteener in Colorado due in part to its remote location. The trailhead is difficult to find and I would strongly suggest consulting a map to locate this trailhead. The description in Gerry Roachs’ Fourteener book is a little confusing.
The 13.8 mile distance is assuming you park at the trailhead and do not continue on to the 4wd parking area. We walked this section of road and found that most 2 wheel drives could make this section fairly easily (there was one spot that was sketchy due to its steep slope) and it would save about 3.2 miles total.
Follow the forest road numbers to navigate rather than the description in the book. One of the best things about this hike is the lack of crowds along the trail.
Some fourteeners draw big crowds on the summer weekends. We only saw 3 other people the entire time we were hiking. The other notable site along the trail was a ridge of unusual spiky rock formations that appeared to be part of a different landscape.
It is a beautiful area and the feeling of isolation could be just the thing for those needing some alone time. I had a sense of how small I was in comparison to my surroundings and I felt privileged to be a part of this if only for a day.
Creede is the closest town and offers some nice options for grabbing a cool drink and lunch or dinner. The Old Miners Inn has good pizza and Kips Grill is a great place if you’re in the mood for baja style tacos. Head to the Antlers Lodge just west of town for dinner on the outdoor deck and listen to the soothing sound of the Rio Grande river rolling by.
Gear Recommendations (besides the 10 essentials):
Hydration Pack
Heavy Duty Boots for good ankle support
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Extra food
National Geographic Map #139 for La Garita and Cochetopa Hills
Gerry Roach’s book Colorado’s Fourteeners
