California Peak and Lilly Lake 13ers Loop in Rio Grande National Forest, CO

Hike California Peak and Lilly Lake 13ers Loop Rio Grande National Forest, CO

Class 3 14.4 miles 5500 gain 7-10 hrs Loop Jun 9, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

California Peak and Lilly Lake 13ers Loop GPX Track

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The closure of New Mexico National Forests due to drought and wildfires prevented me from enjoying the state's hiking, but the absurdly low snow this year meant I could run up to Colorado to get some early-season butt kicking with Whiley. We planned for two days of peakbagging the 13ers/14er in the Blanca massif surrounding the Huerfano River. Our first day would be to go for the western ridge, including California Peak and various unnamed 13ers, looping in Lilly Lake. Kind folks had just cleared the road of deadfall, so we were able to drive to the trailhead. Any car can make it to here (37.66455, -105.45968), but at least a Crossover vehicle is required past this point. If coming from the north, getting there's no problem, but from the south Google had difficulty. I recommend you navigate here (37.60875, -105.21967) and head north on the primary road (572), which avoids private property and uses an excellent dirt road.

We parked at a pull-out where the Raspberry Trail crosses the road, though there are plenty of other spots to park before reaching the trailhead. The Raspberry Trail is not well-marked, but after we located it we headed west up the slope, only some minimal deadfall slowing us down. We were pleasantly surprised at the good quality of the trail. After about 1500 feet of climbing we reached a saddle where we left the trail, the first goal to the north to get Peak 12180, a nice tundra walk warm-up. After its summit we backtracked to the Raspberry Trail and continued south along the ridgeline toward California Peak. The next 2000+ vertical to reach the peak was overall pretty easy along the tundra, the slope angle mostly consistent, though there were some steeper sections and a couple of minor humps adding some extra work.

From the summit of California Peak, we dropped south along the ridgeline (Class 2), passed over a small lump, and then scrambled up (more Class 2) to reach the summit of Peak 13577. We'd be returning to this peak later for our descent to Lilly Lake. First, we continued along the ridgeline to get to Peak 13654, Class 2 down from Peak 13577 and then some fun Class 2+/3 up to Peak 13654. This minor 13er was thought to be the high point for years, but has actually been recently relegated to standing lower than its southern neighbor (Peak 13656). I marked both points on my map for reference. The traverse from the old high point to the new high point was quite fun, some short Class 3 sections and great views along the way.

We backtracked along the ridge to Peak 13577 in order to take what's commonly known as the "standard" route to gain California Peak. I'll note that at the saddle just south of Peak 13654 we saw a steep hardpan descent that could take us down to Lilly Lake and prevent the need to backtrack all the way, but neither Whiley nor I were excited to potentially be scared. We later learned this route goes at low Class 3, but we agreed we were happy with backtracking. The Class 2 talus and then scree descent from Peak 13577 to Lilly Lake was perfectly fine, though ascending it would have been far less fun than the loop route we chose to do. When descending this slope, it's important stay clear of the ridge crest, instead dropping to the right (south) since the crest has some cliffy stuff toward the base, whereas keeping right keeps the terrain Class 2/2+.

We lingered at Lilly Lake for only a short time, but it was enough to watch clouds building, forcing us to hastily head down along the Lilly Lake Trail. The views along this trail toward the blue-tinted north face of Ellingwood Point had me stopping regularly to take photos, despite the rain potentially breaking my camera yet again. The Lilly Lake Trail reached a junction with the Upper Huerfano Trail, which we followed to its head, and then the road led us back to the cars. This was an excellent loop in a gorgeous area.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 12180
12180 ft
300 rise
2
California Peak
13849 ft
609 rise
3
Peak 13577
13577 ft
297 rise
4
Peak 13654
13654 ft
154 rise
5
Peak 13656
13656 ft
398 rise

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From our parking spot, you can see Whiley start west along the Raspberry Trail, which was easy to miss.
From our parking spot, you can see Whiley start west along the Raspberry Trail, which was easy to miss.
Along the Raspberry Trail.
Along the Raspberry Trail.
Emerging into a meadow along the Raspberry Trail.
Emerging into a meadow along the Raspberry Trail.
Continuing to ascend on the Raspberry Trail.
Continuing to ascend on the Raspberry Trail.
View back along the Raspberry Trail, Huerfana Peak (which we did the following day) and Mount Lindsey visible in the distance.
View back along the Raspberry Trail, Huerfana Peak (which we did the following day) and Mount Lindsey visible in the distance.
Approaching the saddle.
Approaching the saddle.
Short side-trip to get Peak 12180.
Short side-trip to get Peak 12180.
Peak 12180, view toward the ridgeline to California Peak.
Peak 12180, view toward the ridgeline to California Peak.
Peak 12180, view north.
Peak 12180, view north.
After backtracking from Peak 12180, now headed up to California Peak on its extended tundra ridgeline.
After backtracking from Peak 12180, now headed up to California Peak on its extended tundra ridgeline.
Ascending to California Peak.
Ascending to California Peak.
View back.
View back.
Nice views along the rim. Blanca Peak seen poking out in the center. Mount Lindsey far left.
Nice views along the rim. Blanca Peak seen poking out in the center. Mount Lindsey far left.
Image 13 from gallery
Another shot back along the ridgeline.
Another shot back along the ridgeline.
Summit of California Peak, view south.
Summit of California Peak, view south.
Close-up south toward the ridgeline traverse we'd be doing. Blanca Peak visible distant center. Our ridgeline traverse would end at the small hump obscured right of center in this photo. Class 2 descent from California Peak seen bottom left.
Close-up south toward the ridgeline traverse we'd be doing. Blanca Peak visible distant center. Our ridgeline traverse would end at the small hump obscured right of center in this photo. Class 2 descent from California Peak seen bottom left.
View back toward California Peak.
View back toward California Peak.
Approaching Peak 13577 after popping up and over a small hump along the ridge.
Approaching Peak 13577 after popping up and over a small hump along the ridge.
View back to the small hump and California Peak.
View back to the small hump and California Peak.
Peak 13577, view toward Peak 13654 (right, no longer a 13er) and Peak 13656 (left, the new high point). Lilly Lake seen below.
Peak 13577, view toward Peak 13654 (right, no longer a 13er) and Peak 13656 (left, the new high point). Lilly Lake seen below.
Along the Class 2/3 ridgeline to Peak 13654.
Along the Class 2/3 ridgeline to Peak 13654.
Fun scrambling just below Peak 13654.
Fun scrambling just below Peak 13654.
Peak 13654, view back. Lilly Lake seen center, Mount Lindsey distant center.
Peak 13654, view back. Lilly Lake seen center, Mount Lindsey distant center.
View toward the true high point, Peak 13656.
View toward the true high point, Peak 13656.
Class 2/3 along the ridgeline.
Class 2/3 along the ridgeline.
Wannabe knife-edge, nothing exceeding Class 3.
Wannabe knife-edge, nothing exceeding Class 3.
Just before the summit of Peak 13656, view back. California Peak seen top right.
Just before the summit of Peak 13656, view back. California Peak seen top right.
View south toward Blanca and Ellingwood.
View south toward Blanca and Ellingwood.
View toward Lilly Lake.
View toward Lilly Lake.
On our way back, we noted this Class 3 hardpan descent to Lilly Lake, but chose to just backtrack to Peak 13577 instead since this didn't look fun.
On our way back, we noted this Class 3 hardpan descent to Lilly Lake, but chose to just backtrack to Peak 13577 instead since this didn't look fun.
After backtracking to Peak 13577, we took the standard route down to Lilly Lake. It's important not to stay along the ridge crest, since there are cliffs farther down. Instead, drop off to the right.
After backtracking to Peak 13577, we took the standard route down to Lilly Lake. It's important not to stay along the ridge crest, since there are cliffs farther down. Instead, drop off to the right.
Class 2/3 talus, then scree. Lilly Lake seen below.
Class 2/3 talus, then scree. Lilly Lake seen below.
Image 33 from gallery
Lilly Lake, view back. The cliffs that should be avoided along the ridge crest I mentioned earlier are seen on the right.
Lilly Lake, view back. The cliffs that should be avoided along the ridge crest I mentioned earlier are seen on the right.
Descending along the Lilly Lake Trail.
Descending along the Lilly Lake Trail.
Gorgeous views, Mount Lindsey seen top center.
Gorgeous views, Mount Lindsey seen top center.
The north face of Ellingwood Point.
The north face of Ellingwood Point.
Continuing down the Lilly Lake Trail.
Continuing down the Lilly Lake Trail.
Huerfano River drainage is below on the right. The Lilly Lake Trail descends slowly down to meetit.
Huerfano River drainage is below on the right. The Lilly Lake Trail descends slowly down to meetit.
View back a bit before reaching the junction with the Upper Huerfano Trail.
View back a bit before reaching the junction with the Upper Huerfano Trail.
Junction.
Junction.
I took these photos a day later since we were getting graupelled on and I couldn't keep my camera out. Nice meadows and forests along the Upper Huerfano Trail.
I took these photos a day later since we were getting graupelled on and I couldn't keep my camera out. Nice meadows and forests along the Upper Huerfano Trail.
Image 43 from gallery
View back just before reaching the Upper Huerfano Trailhead.
View back just before reaching the Upper Huerfano Trailhead.
Excellent views from the road, view south toward the way we came.
Excellent views from the road, view south toward the way we came.
We hiked along the road back to our cars.
We hiked along the road back to our cars.

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