Class 2 5.8 miles 2800 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 14, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Precipice Peak GPX Track

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Precipice Peak is summit along the north to south trending Dike Ridge, though the peaks in this vicinity are all referred to as being part of the Cimarron Range. This area is overwhelmingly unique, with its volcanic eroded pinnacles and bright, colorful summits that compose some of the tallest elevations in the San Juan Mountains. Located close to Delta CO, their inspiring forms are clearly visible from civilization, but this peak doesn't see as much traffic as you'd think it would, therefore the route is much harder to follow than I anticipated it would be. I hadn't been out here since Coxcomb Peak a few years ago, and I'm finding I am always happy to come back to the area. The hike begins at the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead within the basin housing the West Fork Cimarron River, but I couldn't make it there in my vehicle. If you don't have a high clearance you'll need to start where I did, but any car can make it to that point. The hike along the 4WD road was beautiful, providing a glimpse toward Precipice Peak as well as Courthouse Mountain, which I did later in the day.

Once I reached the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead, the easy walking was over. I headed directly east on rocky ground, quickly locating a nearly-nonexistent mining road. I followed this as best I could toward a pleasantly flowing stream, the road narrowing into a faint social trail that began gaining elevation more quickly. Paying careful attention, I managed to stay on course even as it darted away from the creek and ascended at a very steep grade up a forested slope. Losing the trail was inevitable since animals have carved many options into the ground, leaving me to ascend a dirty slope that had me using all fours. I located the social trail again as it led through the forest, then through a short spurt of tundra, and then more forest.

I emerged above tree line into a talus-riddled tundra slope. Keeping to the right of the talus made hiking easier. There's a key Class 2 weakness I headed toward, since veering too far left would take me to a low cliff band and too far right below would dump me onto an impassable face. The slope steepened, and various social trails weaved through the thickening talus/scree up to the weakness. Above the weakness was a slanted headwall that I wrapped around on its right, now on lumpy tundra with small drainages to hop in and out of for a few hundred feet. My next goal was the ridgline above, but 500 feet or so of steep tundra came first. On my left was my first glimpse of the eroded volcanic remnants that make Precipice Peak so special.

A short section of Class 2 brought me to the crest, where the social trail picked up again and led to a notch between two pinnacles. Class 2+ took me through this notch and onto a pebble-covered grassy incline and back to the ridge. I was awed by a variety of unique volcanic features. The eastern slope below was entirely filled with them and the ridgeline was a sheet of white with embedded boulders. Continuing the ascent I passed a Class 2+ move to overcome a small cliff band, but otherwise it was just a stroll on loose terrain. Gorgeous colors surrounded me in every direction.

I reached a false summit, but a point just east was slightly higher and the trail led to it. Dunsinane Mountain and Courthouse Mountain were prominently visible to the north and northwest, and Uncompahgre Peak and Wetterhorn Peak to the distant south.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Precipice Peak
13141 ft
478 rise

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A view toward Precipice Peak (right) as I hike along the 4WD road.
A view toward Precipice Peak (right) as I hike along the 4WD road.
View toward Courthouse Mountain.
View toward Courthouse Mountain.
I reached the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead and turned left, off-trail.
I reached the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead and turned left, off-trail.
Ascending an ancient mining road toward Precipice Peak.
Ascending an ancient mining road toward Precipice Peak.
A social trail emerged, leading up a drainage.
A social trail emerged, leading up a drainage.
View back along the faint social trail.
View back along the faint social trail.
The trail then begins to climbing steeply. It's hard to see here, but it led up the dead trees on the left.
The trail then begins to climbing steeply. It's hard to see here, but it led up the dead trees on the left.
After some steep hiking, the trail gets hard to follow and instead led to this steep slope. I needed all four limbs to ascend this.
After some steep hiking, the trail gets hard to follow and instead led to this steep slope. I needed all four limbs to ascend this.
View down the really steep slope.
View down the really steep slope.
I located a small stretch of social trail above the steep slope.
I located a small stretch of social trail above the steep slope.
View back along the social trail.
View back along the social trail.
A quick bit of tundra. The route eventually leads toward those pinnacles seen center.
A quick bit of tundra. The route eventually leads toward those pinnacles seen center.
View back through the short tundra section toward some unnamed 12ers.
View back through the short tundra section toward some unnamed 12ers.
The social trail is clear for a while through the forest.
The social trail is clear for a while through the forest.
A nice view toward Coxcomb and the basin housing the West Fork Cimarron River.
A nice view toward Coxcomb and the basin housing the West Fork Cimarron River.
Finally, emerging from tree line into a talus field. The route leads toward the center.
Finally, emerging from tree line into a talus field. The route leads toward the center.
Hiking along tundra/talus, mere hints of a social trail. My aim is the weakness seen center. I found keeping low was the best choice since the talus was larger on the the left, higher up the slope.
Hiking along tundra/talus, mere hints of a social trail. My aim is the weakness seen center. I found keeping low was the best choice since the talus was larger on the the left, higher up the slope.
Close-up toward Courthouse Mountain.
Close-up toward Courthouse Mountain.
View back down as I progress up the slope.
View back down as I progress up the slope.
There are multiple social trails etched into the tundra/talus slope ahead. There's one major one and I think I managed to stick to it. I'm headed just right of center in this photo.
There are multiple social trails etched into the tundra/talus slope ahead. There's one major one and I think I managed to stick to it. I'm headed just right of center in this photo.
I reached a steeper talus section, Class 2.
I reached a steeper talus section, Class 2.
View back down the Class 2. I came from the trees in the center.
View back down the Class 2. I came from the trees in the center.
Above the Class 2, I wrapped around an outcropping and emerged at this view. There was some lumpy terrain ahead before the next steep ascent slope.
Above the Class 2, I wrapped around an outcropping and emerged at this view. There was some lumpy terrain ahead before the next steep ascent slope.
Navigating lumpy terrain before reaching the steep slope.
Navigating lumpy terrain before reaching the steep slope.
View back through the lumpy section. I came from the center after avoiding the outcrop seen on the right.
View back through the lumpy section. I came from the center after avoiding the outcrop seen on the right.
Ascending the step tundra slope.
Ascending the step tundra slope.
A shot back as I head up the slope. The Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead seen center.
A shot back as I head up the slope. The Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead seen center.
Cool eroded features adjacent to the ascent slope.
Cool eroded features adjacent to the ascent slope.
Nearing the steeper part of the slope higher up.
Nearing the steeper part of the slope higher up.
View back down as I reach the ridge.
View back down as I reach the ridge.
Amazing pinnacles over rim on the east side.
Amazing pinnacles over rim on the east side.
Once at the ridge, I headed north.
Once at the ridge, I headed north.
Class 2+ through this notch.
Class 2+ through this notch.
View back along the ridge from the notch.
View back along the ridge from the notch.
Past the notch, less easy terrain. It's a loose slope here, but it continues around the face and back up to the ridge crest.
Past the notch, less easy terrain. It's a loose slope here, but it continues around the face and back up to the ridge crest.
View back as I hike below the face. The notch I came through seen center.
View back as I hike below the face. The notch I came through seen center.
Back on the ridge, continuing toward Precipice Peak's summit.
Back on the ridge, continuing toward Precipice Peak's summit.
Incredible features below to the east.
Incredible features below to the east.
View back along the ridge crest, the notch seen right of center.
View back along the ridge crest, the notch seen right of center.
A Class 2+ move.
A Class 2+ move.
Uncompahgre Peak seen in the distance.
Uncompahgre Peak seen in the distance.
View back along the colorful ridgeline.
View back along the colorful ridgeline.
Image 42 from gallery
Another shot back, higher up.
Another shot back, higher up.
Class 2 on loose terrain.
Class 2 on loose terrain.
Image 45 from gallery
Higher up, neat conglomerate-like features.
Higher up, neat conglomerate-like features.
Close-up back toward the ridgeline so far.
Close-up back toward the ridgeline so far.
Wider shot back, the trailhead seen on the right.
Wider shot back, the trailhead seen on the right.
Nearing the false summit, a little wrap-around. Past the false summit is a small dip with a Class 2 move, and then the true summit.
Nearing the false summit, a little wrap-around. Past the false summit is a small dip with a Class 2 move, and then the true summit.
Precipice Peak summit, view back toward the false summit.
Precipice Peak summit, view back toward the false summit.
Close-up toward Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn.
Close-up toward Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn.
View toward Dunsinane Mountain (right of center) and Courthouse Mountain (left).
View toward Dunsinane Mountain (right of center) and Courthouse Mountain (left).
Dunsinane Mountain and Turret Ridge.
Dunsinane Mountain and Turret Ridge.

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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!