Hiking Huron Peak – Sawatch Range, Colorado

Huron Peak is a 14,003 foot mountain in the Sawatch Rang of Colorado. Below we will cover each of the trail options, information about camping, roads, trail maps and more to help you get hiking.

Distance –10.4 miles round trip (16.7 km)
Height – 14,003 feet (4,268.1 m)
Elevation gain – 3,950 feet (1,203.96 m)
Duration – 6 to 8 hours (book time)
Difficulty – Strenuous
Class: Class 2 Hike
Seasons – Year-round (caution and experience needed in winter – see below)
Trailhead Location – Huron Peak Trailhead – 10,260 feet (directions below)

Trails

 

North Huron Trail (2WD Vehicle): 10.4 Miles Round Trip | 3,950 Feet Elevation Gain | Class 2

This is the most common route up Mount Huron. It features stunning views early on, is well maintained, well traveled, and features many switchbacks that ease the difficulty of this hike overall.

Beginning at the 2WD trailhead hikers will have an easy 1.9 mile trek with slight incline towards the 4WD trailhead. Hikers stay to the right on this road at the junction marking where hikers and drivers should continue to Huron Peak.

Once reaching the second trailhead, hikers bear left towards Huron Peak (a sign marks the way). The first .3 miles is relatively flat, then hikers begin ascending through the forest via switchbacks. 1.3 miles later, hikers will break treeline. Here the views towards the west of Virginia Peak, and other thirteeners are stunning.

The trail grade lightens for the next half mile until after hikers cross a basin where the summit is in sight. The last mile of the hike features substantial elevation gain rising 1,423 feet in 1 mile to the summit. Hikers then retrace their steps back to the trailhead.

 

North Huron Trail (4WD Vehicle): 6.6 Miles Round Trip | 3,610 Feet Elevation Gain | Class 2

This route is the same as above, but hikers can choose to drive to the 4WD trailhead, cutting out 1.9 miles each way, and 340 feet of elevation gain.

Road Conditions: This road’s hardest sections are at the beginning, though it has several difficult areas throughout the 2 miles. A 4WD vehicle with good clearance will be able to handle this. 2WD vehicles, or even some 4WD vehicles with low clearance should likely park at the 2WD trailhead to avoid any vehicle damage, or getting stuck.

 

North Ridge From Lulu Gulch: 8.4 Miles Round Trip | 3,980 Feet Elevation Gain | Class 2

This trail option is slightly longer than the 2WD trailhead option, but is considered a bit more scenic as you have more ridgeline walking, and better views of Huron’s east face.

This is a great loop option to combine with the standard route.

We recommend checking out the info on this route on 14ers.com here: https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=huro4&peak=Huron+Peak

 

Trail Map

The below map shows the standard route, mileage markers, elevation gain, and surrounding trails and peaks.

 

Hiking Huron Peak in Winter

Either route can be accomplished in winter. Of course, the right gear and preparation is needed to summit Huron in winter.

The road to the trailhead is plowed during winter, but can easily be impossible to travel for certain vehicles at certain times. We recommend checking road conditions before making the trip.

Both routes also cross avalanche prone areas for small portions of the hike. It is therefore necessary to check trip reports, avalanche conditions, and most importantly, the conditions while you are at the scene to make a determination whether to continue on or not. Some information on current conditions can be found here: https://avalanche.state.co.us/

 

Camping At Near Huron Peak

Huron Peak features nearly endless camping areas. There are dispersed campsites along along 390 heading towards the trailhead, and many sites right at the 2WD trailhead as well as the 4WD trailhead. Hikers will have no shortage of options. This is a highly trafficked camping area, so we recommend arriving early to claim your spot.

Some of the most beautiful spots are located near the 4WD trailhead in the meadows where clear creek runs through and the views.

Many of the sites are located near Clear Creek where you can easily filter water.

 

Current weather conditions:

Here is the detailed weather forecast for the next few days. We highly recommend you check out the mountain forecast for this region the morning of your hike.

Twin Lakes, CO

Tonight
Snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday
Snow and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 24. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Snow likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 16. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday
Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. West southwest wind 10 to 30 mph.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. West southwest wind 15 to 25 mph.

 

Directions & Parking

Directions to Huron Peak Trailhead (Clear Creek Trailhead)

 

Additional Pictures