Ascending Hikes – Horseshoe Mountain - Horseshoe and Peerless Mountain

Trip

Ascending Hikes – Horseshoe Mountain - Horseshoe and Peerless Mountain

This is an ~8 mile, ~2300 ft elevation gain out and back hike that gets us to the summits of two 13ers: Horseshoe and Peerless Mountains. We'll also experience some off-trail hiking as we descend from the summit of Peerless. Both summits are in the Mosquito Range of Pike National Forest. This is the the capstone hike of an Ascending Hikes series for this season.

  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 8.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 13,903 ft
  • Pace: 1.5-2.0 MPH

Carpool Place & Time: Meet at the US 285 & Twin Forks PnR at 6:15am, for a 6:30am departure (Us 285 & Twin Forks PNR - Google Maps)

We'll carpool to the Horseshoe Trail/Road (39°11'54.5"N 106°09'27.8"W - Google Maps)

We'll be hiking an lillipop-ish route starting from trailhead at 11,800' above the Four Mile Campground, hiking west up road/trails to the saddle between Horseshoe and Peerless at 13,200’. We'll then hike south 1 mile along ridge to Horseshoe (13,903'). Return to saddle and scramble (short, modest class 2) a quarter mile north along the ridge to Peerless (13,348'). We'll continue over Peerless to the saddle between Peerless and Sheridan, and head back down off-trail, finding our way back to the trailhead. Most of the hike is on tundra, above tree line. If we find the energy we may consider making the 650 ft, 1.3 mile out-n-back to the summit of Sheridan (13, 757'). The summit of Horseshoe Peak affords us an excellent spot for lunch/snack, weather permitting. Our pace will be determined by the strength, stamina, and endurance of the group. Overall ~8 miles and 2300 ft elevation gain. (Horseshoe & Peerless - CalTopo)

The Colorado Mountain Club's Ascending Hike Section (AHS) provides an opportunity to make new friends and explore new places in Colorado's backcountry, while increasing your personal hiking speed, strength, and stamina. The section is administered by CMC volunteers. There is no cost, fee, or scheduling commitment. There are no dues or elections. Open to all CMC members. To join the section, contact the CMC office. (Ascending Hikes Section — The Colorado Mountain Club (cmc.org))

Route/Place

Horseshoe Mountain


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

10 essentials are required. Trekking poles are recommended.

Trip Reports