Virginia Peak, Sheep Rock Mountain, Lake Ann Pass Loop in San Isabel National Forest, CO

Hike Virginia Peak, Sheep Rock Mountain, Lake Ann Pass Loop San Isabel National Forest, CO

Class 3 13.8 miles 4800 gain 7-10 hrs Loop Jul 29, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Virginia Peak, Sheep Rock Mountain, Lake Ann Pass Loop GPX Track

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This hike links a series of 13ers surrounding Silver Basin using a tundra-covered ridgeline with spurts of rocky terrain and some light scrambling, forming a loop that is accessed using the Continential Divide Trail and the Lake Ann Trail. The busy County Road 390 that serves as the gateway to a cluster of popular 14ers in the Sawatch is fine for most vehicles. The majority of the crowds stop at the Missouri Gulch Trailhead, but the road is good until just past the historic Winfield ghost town here (38.98088, -106.44591). The trailhead we started at is another two miles south on a burly road. Steven and I met up after months of social media chats about remote desert peaks and big Colorado outings. We were quick friends, so I didn't feel too badly about stealing him from a family weekend to play in the mountains with me. After chatting at the 2WD trailhead for a bit, Steven took us in his truck to easily get us to the upper trailhead. I wouldn't have felt comfortable in my Crossover SUV, but we saw an intrepid driver who managed to get theirs all the way, somehow.

The trailhead is shared by hikers heading up to the popular 14er Huron Peak, but the Lake Ann Trail sees far less day use traffic, more so backpackers. The Continental Divide Trail joined the Lake Ann Trail at a junction shortly after we left the trailhead. We wanted reach Virginia Peak first so we took the CDT west and passed over the South Fork of Clear Creek. About a quarter mile later we left the CDT using an overgrown mining road, tall grasses strewn along it and wet from morning dew. A few very long switchbacks led us into Silver Basin. The switchbacks tightened and when little new-growth pine trees started becoming a nuissance we left this old mining road and ascended directly north toward Virginia Peak. The brush on this forested slope was minimal, but the slope angle was steep enough to require the use of our hands ocassionally. The slope became more gradual and continued through the forest. Along the way we passed the foundation of an old mining cabin and we took a moment to appreciate the person who built it and how long it's probably been out here.

We hiked above tree line, the Apostles and Ice Mountain lit by wonderful morning light. Some Class 2 led us along the ridgeline of Virginia Peak and up to its summit. The traverse ahead looking fantastic, and we could trace our route that wrapped around Silver Basin. Class 2 on large boulders brought us west from Virginia Peak, followed by a tundra stroll, and some more Class 2/2+ boulders to the summit of West Virgina Peak. The summit block had a Class 2+ move. The descent from West Virginia Peak was also Class 2, but had fewer large boulders to hop over, while the ascent to Sheep Rock Mountain included some opportunities for Class 3 scrambling if we chose to stick to the crest. While you might be able to avoid all obstacles, it's likely there will be a short Class 3 move mixed in somewhere.

The traverse from Sheep Rock Mountain to Peak 13251 began on uneventful tundra with gorgeous views, but we soon reached two significant bumps along the ridgeline that included some Class 2 talus to get up and over each. The talus continued more or less to the summit of Peak 13251. It wasn't annoying or difficult, but did slow us down a bit. Aside from an initial steep descent from Peak 13251, the traverse over to our last summit, Peak 13258, was straightforward on more light Class 2 and tundra.

Lake Ann was obscured from view, but we knew the CDT/Lake Ann Trail led to Ann Pass to our southeast. It likely would have been more efficient to just descend from Peak 13258's north ridge and continue through open terrain in order to reach the trail, but this could have led to some bushwhacking and Steven was clearly more excited to check out the ridgeline to Ann Pass. The loop also felt more complete by going this way, somehow. So instead we continued toward Ann Pass on the lumpy ridgeline, a mostly easy walk on tundra, but there were a few trickier sections where the lumps were steep. I recommend just sticking to the crest even when it seems to make sense to side-hill around the lumps because the slopes become more cliffy and dangerous. This is especially true for the final lump, where side-hilling results in the need to reascend to the crest since the eroded slopes drop away into unclimbable territory. We did pull a few Class 3 moves, but this is likely just because we didn't always stick to the crest.

We reached the Lake Ann Trail at the pass and took it north. Rain started pelting us, so we didn't take an excursion to visit the lake, deciding it was pretty enough viewed from above. We entered tree line and enjoyed the maintained trail through the verdant forest. A bit before reaching the trailhead the trail opened up into a series of meadows that provided wonderful views toward the Apostles, as well as toward our first summit, Virginia Peak. This was a great loop and we were both happy to tick off a handful of 13ers.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Virginia Peak
13094 ft
420 rise
2
West Virginia Peak
13152 ft
344 rise
3
Sheep Rock Mountain
13261 ft
533 rise
4
Peak 13251
13251 ft
372 rise
5
Peak 13258
13258 ft
402 rise

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Starting along the Lake Ann Trail.
Starting along the Lake Ann Trail.
CDT junction. We kept right.
CDT junction. We kept right.
Along the CDT, a view toward the Apostles and Ice Mountain.
Along the CDT, a view toward the Apostles and Ice Mountain.
Leaving the CDT to take this overgrown mining road.
Leaving the CDT to take this overgrown mining road.
Ascending along the mining road into Silver Basin. Part of out traverse to come is seen ahead. We took the road until it became annoying and went straight up the slope instead.
Ascending along the mining road into Silver Basin. Part of out traverse to come is seen ahead. We took the road until it became annoying and went straight up the slope instead.
View back down as we ascend the steep slope.
View back down as we ascend the steep slope.
Progress up the slope.
Progress up the slope.
Another shot back toward Steven. We came up from the far left in this photo.
Another shot back toward Steven. We came up from the far left in this photo.
Passing the remains of some old cabin.
Passing the remains of some old cabin.
Nearing tree line.
Nearing tree line.
The Apostles seen distant center.
The Apostles seen distant center.
We reached the ridge of Virginia Peak and headed to the summit.
We reached the ridge of Virginia Peak and headed to the summit.
View back along the Virginia Peak ridge. Silver Basin seen far right, Huron seen far left.
View back along the Virginia Peak ridge. Silver Basin seen far right, Huron seen far left.
Virginia Peak summit, view east into the valley we drove in through.
Virginia Peak summit, view east into the valley we drove in through.
Virginia Peak summit, view into Silver Basin and our traverse to come.
Virginia Peak summit, view into Silver Basin and our traverse to come.
Coming down from Virginia Peak on big Class 2 boulders.
Coming down from Virginia Peak on big Class 2 boulders.
Onward to West Virginia through a rocky portion.
Onward to West Virginia through a rocky portion.
View back toward Virginia Peak.
View back toward Virginia Peak.
Ascending to West Virginia, Sheep Rock Mountain seen on the left. The summit had some fun Class 2 and a steep north face, seen here.
Ascending to West Virginia, Sheep Rock Mountain seen on the left. The summit had some fun Class 2 and a steep north face, seen here.
Nearing the summit, view back toward Virginia Peak.
Nearing the summit, view back toward Virginia Peak.
Summit block of West Virginia.
Summit block of West Virginia.
Onward to Sheep Rock Mountain (left).
Onward to Sheep Rock Mountain (left).
Sheep Rock Mountain ahead, the Apostles seen distant left.
Sheep Rock Mountain ahead, the Apostles seen distant left.
Some fun Class 2/2+ along the ridgeline. More significant climbing can be avoided by keeping just left or right of the crest.
Some fun Class 2/2+ along the ridgeline. More significant climbing can be avoided by keeping just left or right of the crest.
View back toward West Virginia and Virginia from Sheep Rock Mountain.
View back toward West Virginia and Virginia from Sheep Rock Mountain.
Just past the Sheep Rock Mountain summit, view toward the ridgeline to come. Peak 13251 (our next peak) seen far left.
Just past the Sheep Rock Mountain summit, view toward the ridgeline to come. Peak 13251 (our next peak) seen far left.
View back toward Sheep Rock Mountain.
View back toward Sheep Rock Mountain.
A couple of bumps along the way to Peak 13251.
A couple of bumps along the way to Peak 13251.
View back as we go over a couple of rocky bumps on the way to Peak 13251.
View back as we go over a couple of rocky bumps on the way to Peak 13251.
Peak 13251 seen ahead, some cute little tarn visible below.
Peak 13251 seen ahead, some cute little tarn visible below.
View back, Class 2 up to Peak 13251. Sheep Rock Mountain seen center.
View back, Class 2 up to Peak 13251. Sheep Rock Mountain seen center.
Onward to our last summit, Peak 13258.
Onward to our last summit, Peak 13258.
View back toward Peak 13251 at some Class 2 scrambling we just finished.
View back toward Peak 13251 at some Class 2 scrambling we just finished.
Peak 13258 ahead.
Peak 13258 ahead.
A shot back as we start up Peak 13258.
A shot back as we start up Peak 13258.
Wider shot back, Taylor Park (housing the Taylor Park Reservoir) seen on the left.
Wider shot back, Taylor Park (housing the Taylor Park Reservoir) seen on the left.
Summit of Peak 13258. We could have taken the northeastern ridgeline and continue cross-country to reach Lake Ann, but we decided to just keep to the ridge crest.
Summit of Peak 13258. We could have taken the northeastern ridgeline and continue cross-country to reach Lake Ann, but we decided to just keep to the ridge crest.
A view toward Huron (top left) and the basin that houses Lake Ann (which is hidden below).
A view toward Huron (top left) and the basin that houses Lake Ann (which is hidden below).
Class 2/2+ dropping down from Peak 13258.
Class 2/2+ dropping down from Peak 13258.
Pretty tame ridgeline for the most part as long as you keep to the crest. Seen center is a rockier section leading to a minor, unranked bump. Expect some Class 2/2+.
Pretty tame ridgeline for the most part as long as you keep to the crest. Seen center is a rockier section leading to a minor, unranked bump. Expect some Class 2/2+.
At the unranked bump, view toward Lake Ann Pass. CDT seen switchbacking below. That's our next goal.
At the unranked bump, view toward Lake Ann Pass. CDT seen switchbacking below. That's our next goal.
A view toward Taylor Park Reservoir from Lake Ann Pass.
A view toward Taylor Park Reservoir from Lake Ann Pass.
Descending along the CDT.
Descending along the CDT.
View back up to Lake Ann Pass.
View back up to Lake Ann Pass.
Lake Ann seen below.
Lake Ann seen below.
Huron seen top center. Virginia Peak seen far left. Lake Ann on the right.
Huron seen top center. Virginia Peak seen far left. Lake Ann on the right.
After descending a bit, we entered tree line.
After descending a bit, we entered tree line.
Gorgeous forest descending along the Lake Ann Trail.
Gorgeous forest descending along the Lake Ann Trail.
Bridges constructed. The trail was well-maintained.
Bridges constructed. The trail was well-maintained.
View back along the Lake Ann Trail.
View back along the Lake Ann Trail.
This was the majority of the remainder of the hike.
This was the majority of the remainder of the hike.
Three Apostles seen in the distance, looking back.
Three Apostles seen in the distance, looking back.
The Lake Ann Trail opened into gorgeous meadows. Virginia Peak seen ahead, our first peak of the day.
The Lake Ann Trail opened into gorgeous meadows. Virginia Peak seen ahead, our first peak of the day.
View back toward the Three Apostles as we make our way back to the trailhead.
View back toward the Three Apostles as we make our way back to the trailhead.

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