Buena Vista, CO: Timberline Trail to Huron Peak

This 3-day trek passes right through the heart of a wilderness area that scratches the ozone with eight 14,000-foot peaks–more than any other wilderness in the Lower 48. From the trailhead, take the Timberline Trail to Prospector Gulch. Cut west at mile 7.1 to camp by Illinois Creek. Day two is a climb to 12,600-foot Lake Ann Pass and a drop to trout-filled Clear Creek for a six-mile day. Sleep tight: Day three is a big one. You’ll reach your shuttle car in .5 miles; downsize to a summit pack and hit the spur trail to Huron Peak, the highest spot on this route and the farthest 14er from a paved road in the Sawatch Range.

-Mapped by Dick Vogel

TO TRAILHEAD: Starting point: From Buena Vista, drive 26 miles on CR 209, crossing over Cottonwood Pass, to the Timberline Trail trailhead.

Ending point: From Leadville take US 24 S for 20 mi. Turn R onto CR 390/Clear Creek Canyon Rd. Go 11.8 mi. to Winfield and bear L @ T. In 800 ft., turn R @ T. Go .3 mi. and park @ trailhead. Or, continue 1.8 miles to the Huron Peak trailhead (marked as point TTH010 on the map) with a high-clearance vehicle.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 37.7

Waypoints

TTH002

Location: 38.8655967712402, -106.441970825195

Trail swings west on newly groomed trail.

TTH003

Location: 38.8616180419922, -106.457214355469

Trail passes between Texas Lakes. Possible campsites but this section is often travelled by ORVers.

TTH004

Location: 38.8728103637695, -106.426643371582

Trail leaves open meadows along Texas Creek and climbs into a mixed woodland of conifers and aspen.

TTH005

Location: 38.8938064575195, -106.468338012695

Small wooded campsite

TTH006

Location: 38.9083595275879, -106.481369018555

Turn left

TTH007

Location: 38.912914276123, -106.469970703125

Pass above Lake Ann. Big mountain views in every cardinal direction.

TTH008

Location: 38.919017791748, -106.467430114746

Flat campsites at Lake Ann

TTH009

Location: 38.9392471313477, -106.458061218262

Look for leftovers from the old mining town of Hamilton

TTH010

Location: 38.9593658447266, -106.460731506348

Sign the trail register @ Huron trailhead. Drop big pack and go for the 14,003-foot summit of Huron Peak.

TTH011

Location: 38.9456024169922, -106.437950134277

Huron Peak: Cloud-scrapping views are everywhere.

Trailhead

Location: 38.8469161987305, -106.45337677002

Ascending to Lake Ann Pass

Location: 38.907772064209, -106.471694946289

Ascending Huron Peak

Location: 38.952751159668, -106.445640563965

Cutting across talus slope

Location: 38.9096031188965, -106.469863891602