“A steady climb through rolling alpine meadows leads to one of Colorado’s most distinctive summits. With its broad, blocky crown and dramatic cliff edges, Uncompahgre Peak stands apart—geologically and visually—from any other 14er in the state.”

Trail Diary

When I came out to Colorado this summer, I had high hopes of summiting four 14ers. After breezing up Mount Sneffels and Handies Peak, I had my sights set on something bigger: Redcloud and Sunshine. But with monsoon season kicking in and afternoon storms rolling in by 1 or 2 PM, I knew a long day above treeline wasn’t going to happen.
Instead, I shifted my focus to Uncompahgre Peak—a mountain I wasn’t sure would even be accessible. Earlier that week, the road was still closed for construction. Thankfully, it reopened just in time.

Evening Before
Rather than waking up at 3:00 AM to drive a rough 4WD road in the dark, I decided to head out the evening before and sleep at the trailhead. The drive from Mill Creek Campground through Lake City took about 45 minutes, and most of that was over rugged, high-clearance 4WD terrain.
This road was a different beast: incredibly narrow, lined with branches and brambles, steep switchbacks, and several creek crossings. The recent roadwork made the road passable—but it had also left some rebar rods exposed in the dirt. On my way down, one of those punctured my tire. So, heads up if you're driving up there.
I made it to the trailhead just before midnight and settled in at the back of the Jeep. It dropped to 35°F overnight, and I spent most of it shivering in my sleeping bag. Not my best sleep, but it would have to do.

5:30 AM
I woke up just as the first light was breaking. The sky was totally overcast, and I was a little nervous about rain. A few other cars had arrived overnight or early that morning—maybe three or four total. I got ready quickly and hit the trail.

5:45 AM
The first part of the hike wound briefly through a small grove of trees. By about half a mile in, I was above treeline. The trail opened up to wide alpine meadows with views in every direction. Not as many wildflowers as American Basin, but still a gorgeous setting.

6:10 AM
The trail was gentle and well-graded as I continued climbing through the open tundra. Rolling grassy hills surrounded me, and the mesa-like summit of Uncompahgre came into view. The cloud cover was still thick, but a brief beam of sunlight broke through around 6:15 AM and lit up the summit beautifully. Streams crossed the trail in places, flanked by clusters of wildflowers.

6:48 AM
The trail gradually turned left, starting to wrap toward the ridgeline leading up to the summit block. It was still an easy climb, and the cool air made it perfect hiking weather. I was still dry, which felt like a gift given the forecast.

7:20 AM
I reached the first saddle and looked out over the backside of the surrounding peaks. From here, the trail turned back toward Uncompahgre and began to climb a bit more aggressively.

7:26 AM
The incline steepened, but the trail remained solid and clear. Pikas darted between rocks and a few patches of delicate wildflowers clung to the hillside. Compared to other San Juan hikes, this section felt much drier.

7:41 AM
I reached the final saddle and started wrapping around to the summit’s backside. Here, the trail dipped slightly and the terrain got rockier. There’s a short section of near-scrambling—nothing exposed or dangerous, and it only lasts about 50 feet.
Looking down, it appears steep, but it doesn’t feel sketchy when you’re on it. A solid, manageable finish.

7:57 AM
Summit! The top of Uncompahgre is broad, flat, and windswept, with a rugged sandstone-like texture. One side drops off in a massive cliff, so definitely stay back from the edge. The skies were still moody and gray, with thickening clouds—storms were clearly forming in the distance. I didn’t linger long.

8:10 AM
I started heading back down. On the descent, I took a few more flower photos and kept a steady pace.

10:15 AM
Back at the trailhead. 7.5 miles and nearly 3,000 feet of gain—definitely more effort than Handies, but still one of the more straightforward 14ers. Just watch out for that road.

Hike Summary

Name: Uncompahgre Peak
Location: San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Route: Nellie Creek via upper 4WD trailhead
Distance: 7.50 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: ~3,000 feet
Total Time: 4:45
Class: 2 (well-defined trail with short, non-exposed rocky section)
Trailhead Access: High-clearance 4WD required (Jeep/Bronco/4Runner strongly recommended)

14ers.com Trail Info | Strava Route

(Based on typical seasonal conditions)
✅ Views – Expansive alpine scenery and distant San Juan ranges
🧱 Unique Geology – Broad, flat summit with dramatic cliff edge and sandstone-like texture
🥾 Gradual Trail – Long, steady approach with consistent elevation gain
🧗 Brief Scrambling – Short rocky section near summit (not exposed)
🌾 Meadows – Rolling tundra, alpine streams, and sparse wildflowers
❄️ Weather Exposure – No tree cover; storms can roll in quickly
🛻 4WD Access – Narrow, rugged road with creek crossings and tire hazard
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Light Crowds – Quiet trail with only a few hikers, even in peak season