Elliott Mountain and Sockrider Peak via Calico Trail in San Juan National Forest, CO

Hike Elliott Mountain and Sockrider Peak via Calico Trail San Juan National Forest, CO

Class 2 10.6 miles 3200 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Sep 19, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Elliott Mountain is a high-pominence 12er in the San Miguel Mountains of Colorado. I chose to access to the peak via the Calico National Recreation Trail from the north. Although a longer route to access the peak, I was looking forward to a nice forested excursion to wrap up my Colorado summer. To reach the peak more easily you could instead take the East Fall Creek Trail, which starts here (37.74435, -108.07513). I don't know that road's condition, but accessing my start trailhead is doable by any vehicle.

I headed south through alternating forest and meadows as the Calico Trail slowly made progress up the northern slope of Elliott Mountain. I had a lot of fog for the morning, but forutnately the weather cleared up and the views became lovely. After ascending above treeline, the trail began to wrap around the west face of Elliott Mountain, but a vert fainy social trail led up the peak's steep grassy northern slope. The Calico Trail doesn't actually reach the summit. The north slope is pleasant, though steep, and I found myself on the summit after some light undulation along the crest. Initially I intended to just head back from here, but Sockrider Peak to the south looked too tempting with its near-equal height and trail to the summit, so I decided to head over to it.

I dropped along the south side of Elliott Mountain a steep tundra slope. Toward the base just before reaching the Calico Trail again there was some loose Class 2, but it's likely avoidable if you leave the ridgeline a little earlier. This was the only Class 2 of the route. Once I was back on the Calico Trail, I quickly got up to Sockrider Peak and noted the many more peaks to the south. They were tempting, but it was cold and I had a long drive. I resolved to come back at some point in my life, and followed the Calico Trail back to my car. Really pleasant outing to a lesser-visited couple of peaks.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Elliott Mountain
12340 ft
2220 rise
2
Sockrider Peak
12308 ft
428 rise

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Starting along the Calico National Recreation Trail.
Starting along the Calico National Recreation Trail.
Looking back at the trailhead as I start along the Calico Trial.
Looking back at the trailhead as I start along the Calico Trial.
The trail is in great shape, heading through forest and meadows.
The trail is in great shape, heading through forest and meadows.
Image 3 from gallery
A nice boardwalk through a marshy section of meadow.
A nice boardwalk through a marshy section of meadow.
View back.
View back.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
View back along the Calico trail. You can see Lizard Head in the distance.
View back along the Calico trail. You can see Lizard Head in the distance.
View back as I near treeline.
View back as I near treeline.
Elliott Mountain ahead.
Elliott Mountain ahead.
Image 13 from gallery
A shot back toward the Wilson group. Lizard Head visible on the right.
A shot back toward the Wilson group. Lizard Head visible on the right.
Elliott Mountain ahead.
Elliott Mountain ahead.
Image 16 from gallery
View back along the ridgeline as some fog rolled in.
View back along the ridgeline as some fog rolled in.
View back along the trail as I head up Elliott Mountain's north ridge.
View back along the trail as I head up Elliott Mountain's north ridge.
Pleasant tundra to Elliott Mountain.
Pleasant tundra to Elliott Mountain.
View back along the ridgeline.
View back along the ridgeline.
Image 21 from gallery
Elliott Mountain ahead on the left. Sockrider Peak right of center.
Elliott Mountain ahead on the left. Sockrider Peak right of center.
Close-up of the ridgeline to Elliott Mounain.
Close-up of the ridgeline to Elliott Mounain.
View back from the Elliott Mountain along the ridge.
View back from the Elliott Mountain along the ridge.
Elliott Mountain, view toward Sockrider Peak.
Elliott Mountain, view toward Sockrider Peak.
Close-up at Sockrider Peak. You can see the Calico Trail snaking up the ridge to the summit.
Close-up at Sockrider Peak. You can see the Calico Trail snaking up the ridge to the summit.
Heading down Elliott Mountain's south ridge, view toward the saddle. If you leave the ridge early you might be able to avoid the short section of Class 2 at the bottom.
Heading down Elliott Mountain's south ridge, view toward the saddle. If you leave the ridge early you might be able to avoid the short section of Class 2 at the bottom.
Along the Calico Trail, now headed up to Sockrider Peak.
Along the Calico Trail, now headed up to Sockrider Peak.
Junction with the East Fall Creek Trail (the shorter approach to the peaks).
Junction with the East Fall Creek Trail (the shorter approach to the peaks).
View back toward Elliott Mountain.
View back toward Elliott Mountain.
Sockrider Peak ahead.
Sockrider Peak ahead.
Another shot toward Elliott with some pretty fog.
Another shot toward Elliott with some pretty fog.
Sockrider Peak ahead.
Sockrider Peak ahead.
Sockrider Peak summit, view toward Elliott Mountain.
Sockrider Peak summit, view toward Elliott Mountain.
Sockrider Peak summit, view southwest toward Calico Peak and Anchor Mountain. Maybe another day!
Sockrider Peak summit, view southwest toward Calico Peak and Anchor Mountain. Maybe another day!
View back toward Sockrider Peak once I'm back along the Calico Trail. Elliott Mountain is above me on the left.
View back toward Sockrider Peak once I'm back along the Calico Trail. Elliott Mountain is above me on the left.
Close-up toward the Wilson group as I continue along the Calico Trail.
Close-up toward the Wilson group as I continue along the Calico Trail.
Along the Calico Trail as I near the north side of Elliott Mountain, where I left the trail earlier to ascend Elliott.
Along the Calico Trail as I near the north side of Elliott Mountain, where I left the trail earlier to ascend Elliott.
Close-up at the Calico Trail and the San Juans.
Close-up at the Calico Trail and the San Juans.
A view north along the Calico Trail. I took this photo on my way back since the ascent was covered in fog.
A view north along the Calico Trail. I took this photo on my way back since the ascent was covered in fog.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!