The San Juan Mountains experienced an exceedingly snowy spring season, leaving the peaks coated in a heavy layer of white well into June. Some of the seasonal roads were late in opening, making access to the backcountry difficult, to say the least.
Additionally, on a Memorial Day weekend trip down to the area around Molas Pass, we found several feet of unconsolidated snow that made the trails almost impossible.
I had planned a visit to one of the more scenic valleys in the area, the West Fork of the Cimarron, but the access road via Owl Creek Pass remained closed, so we returned home and waited for word that the road had finally opened.
By the middle of June we received word that the pass was open and the road drivable for most of the way to the West Fork trailhead, so it was time to head down there again.
One of our objectives was a moderate peak, Redcliff, sitting near the head of the valley on the ridge separating the West and Middle Cimar ron drainages. From previous visits, I knew that the summit of Redcliff afforded spectacular views of the area, surrounded as it is by such peaks as Uncompahgre, Wetterhorn and Coxcomb to the south, and east and Precipice, Courthouse and Chimney Rock to the north. With the range still under a heavy mantle of snow, the scenery was sure to be dramatic.
Redcliff is one of the peaks that contribute to the dramatic skyline seen as you drive south toward Ouray on Colorado 550, just to the left of the unmistakable form of Coxcomb. From the highway, we could see that the approach would be snowy, but that only added to the attraction. While we had to work quite hard to climb this peak (in fact, the descent took as long as the ascent because of soft snow later in the day), access by now should be much easier.
Hike description
The first obstacle to negotiate is the river crossing of the West Fork, quite a challenge when swollen by spring runoff. While high-clearance vehicles can usually drive across later in the summer, it isn’t advised early in the season, so the only other option is to wade the river. This can be quite stimulating early in the morning (better than a cup of coffee). Sandals are a good thing to wear for the crossing.
One thing to remember is that the water level will rise through the day, making your return a little more challenging.
After crossing the West Fork, follow the road for 0.7 miles to the four-wheel-drive parking area and trailhead. Continue on the signed trail as it climbs gradually, staying close to the edge of the trees on the east side of the West Fork, entering the Wilderness area after 1.3 miles. At around 11,380 feet, after 2.2 miles, a small drainage heads left (southeast), and a climbers trail, occasionally marked with cairns, heads up this drainage. Make your way up this drainage heading toward the Redcliff/Coxcomb saddle. A line of cliffs below the saddle has several breaks in it that allow access, though when snow-covered it may be best to detour toward the North Face of Coxcomb to bypass these rock bands before heading back toward the saddle.
From the saddle it is a short, easy scramble up Redcliff’s broad south ridge to the summit.
The details
Getting to the trailhead: From U.S. 50, turn south 18.5 miles west of Sapinero, 2.5 miles east of Cimarron on the road to Silver Jack Reservoir (Big Cimarron Road). The sign says 21 miles to the reservoir. Continue past the reservoir and 0.7 miles past the Jackson Ranger Station to a junction where the East Fork Road takes off on the left. Stay on the main road toward Owl Creek Pass. The road immediately crosses the river on a single-lane bridge, and the Middle Fork road takes off immediately to the left. Continue on the main road toward Owl Creek Pass and reach the road junction for the West Fork Road one-quarter mile east of the Pass, a total of 26.3 miles from U.S. 50.
Owl Creek Pass can also be reached by taking the road signed to the pass, located off Colorado 550, approximately 2 miles north of Ridgway. Follow the signs to the pass for approximately 14.8 miles, then continue for a quarter mile to the turnoff for the West Fork.
Drive south on the West Fork road for 2.7 miles to the river crossing. The West Fork Road has become rougher over the years and requires a high-clearance vehicle to get all the way to the river crossing.
Hike statistics: From the river crossing to the summit of Redcliff (13,642 feet): 2,975 feet of total elevation gain in 3.8 miles one way.
Difficulty: Initially hike on a rough road, then a trail hike and finally an easy scramble off-trail to the summit. We needed snowshoes on June 17. By now, most of the snow should be gone, and snowshoes no longer should be necessary.
USGS Quad: Wetterhorn Peak, CO; Courthouse Mountain, CO (optional, for the driving approach).
