Summit 2026 – Handies Peak - Southwest Slopes

All participants and leaders are REQUIRED to sign the State of Colorado's liability waiver. Please click here to fill out the waiver.

For questions about your trip, please reach out to your trip leaders, Linda Lawson and Chay Vendrick,  directly. For general questions about the Summit 2026 project or any related event, please reach out to summit2026@cmc.org.

14er Training:  You are joining a First Time 14er Summit Team.  We will be focused and aware of novice experience levels.  While it may appear our focus is to only summit Handies Peak, our purpose is to summit Handies Peak and return safely.  We can accomplish our goal with keen attention to detail, training, recognizing safe travel methods, focus, leadership, and recognition that this is a TEAM EFFORT.  To meet our goals, physical training at altitude of 11,000' to 13,000' is necessary.

Your leaders will provide links to Training Tips for Climbing a 14er by email.  Attempting several training trips together will be a stepping stone to our success.

This link provides route photos and directions to the peak:

https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=hand1

Water availability:  Passed the upper TH there is a feeder stream from Lake Fork of the Gunnison; the route is dry after 12,500'  according to online sources.

The dirt road to the American Basin lower TH is approximately 20 miles  which will require a 4WD/High Clearance Vehicles.  To attempt the summit and head back down by 11am - 12 pm, prior to weather coming in,  the team will be camping along the road July 31st, before the summit attempt August 1st.  Whether the team will need to camp the night of August 1st will be dependent on the time we reach the TH on our descent.

Campers need to have their own camping equipment, food, water and a water sanitation device; campers need to know how to set up and break down camp.  There are no bathroom facilities or water at the TH; team members need to follow Leave No Trace principles, specifically Pack it In/Pack it Out for waste disposal.

Closest medical facility:  Lake City Hospital 970 944 2331

Sheriffs Office for SAR:  970 944 2291

COSAR CARD: It is  recommended that you have a Colorado Search and Rescue card in case of an emergency in which you need evacuation by a Search and Rescue team (SAR).  Learn more at:  https://alpinerescueteam.org/support/corsar-card/ 

Meeting time and location to be determined.  Specific driving instructions will be provided in advance.  The 20 mile route to American Basin TH does require a 4WD/High Clearance Vehicle.

This link provides  information about the hiking route to the summit.

https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=hand1

Travel to the TH will require approximately a 6 hr drive to Lake City with camping at the TH. Thus, this trip is from July 31 - August 2 with the summit on August 1.