Colorado · Hiking · Near Telluride

Uncompahgre Peak

7.4 mi
round trip
3,074 ft
climb
14,305 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Uncompahgre Peak open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Uncompahgre Peak, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Uncompahgre Peak is a moderate hike in the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 7.4 miles, with a one-way climb of roughly 3,074 feet from a low point of about 11,421 feet to the summit at about 14,305 feet. The trail is a natural-surface route, and bikes are not allowed. The climb is a steady one, and the peak sits among several other high points. Sheep Mountain and Silver Mountain both lie about 0.1 mile away, so the peak makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding area. Nellie Creek Campground is about 3 miles off, and the Creamy Salmon Wall climbing area is about 3.7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Nellie Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 3.0 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Smuggler Union Tramhouse

    Attraction

    On your way back · 21 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Telluride

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Silver MountainPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Silver Mountain

Next door

Route to the summit of Silver Mountain (13,701 ft) from Nellie Creek Trailhead.

Big Blue CreekPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Big Blue Creek

~2 min drive

1.66-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 178 ft elevation gain.

Wetterhorn Peak Trail #256Photo: John Sowell, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Wetterhorn Peak Trail #256

~7 min drive

2.62-mile out-and-back to Wetterhorn Peak with 1,304 ft gain

MATTERHORN CUTOFFPhoto: John Sowell, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

MATTERHORN CUTOFF

~7 min drive

2.12-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 960 ft gain and 12,265 ft max elevation.

Sheep MountainPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Sheep Mountain

Next door

Route to the summit of Sheep Mountain (13,176 ft) from Nellie Creek Trailhead.

Independence BypassPhoto: gregmote, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Independence Bypass

~12 min drive

1.85-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 97 ft of elevation gain.

Broken HillPhoto: John Sowell, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Broken Hill

~8 min drive

Route to the summit of Broken Hill (13,215 ft) from Matterhorn Trailhead.

Independence GulchPhoto: gregmote, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Independence Gulch

~13 min drive

5.84-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,742 ft elevation gain.

Sunshine Peak Climber's RoutePhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Sunshine Peak Climber's Route

~14 min drive

4.66-mile out-and-back trail to Sunshine Peak with 2,793 ft gain.

Lake To Lake TrailPhoto: JustTooLazy, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lake To Lake Trail

~15 min drive

0.74-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 97 ft elevation gain.

Route details

Distance
7.4 mi round trip
Climbing
About 3,074 ft
Starts at
Nellie Creek Trailhead (about 11,458 ft)
Summit
14,309 ft
Difficulty
Expert

Getting there

Park at Nellie Creek Trailhead.

Questions about this route

How long is the Uncompahgre Peak on Uncompahgre Peak?

About 7.4 mi round trip from Nellie Creek Trailhead (about 11,458 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Uncompahgre Peak?

About 3,074 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Uncompahgre Peak?

It is rated expert.

Where does the Uncompahgre Peak start?

Nellie Creek Trailhead (about 11,458 ft).

Conditions and forecast on Uncompahgre Peak

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.