On the summit of South River Peak (13,156 ft), Weminuche Wilderness. Click to enlarge.
Last month, with spring ski season winding down and summer on the doorstep, Steve and I headed down south for a night of camping and to hike 13er South River Peak in the eastern Weminuche.
Residing deep in the Rio Grande National Forest east of Piedra Pass, South River Peak is known as one of the peskier Colorado 13ers not by it’s technical rating or loose rock, but the length of its approach from any trailhead. There are essentially 2 options – a shorter, steeper route from the north involving some bushwhacking below tree line, or a longer, more gradual route from the south that passes by a natural hot spring along the way. We decided to go with the latter of the two.
The southern route to South RIver Peak with notable landmarks labeled. Click to enlarge.
Total stats for the day wound up being 26.2 miles and 7,126 feet of gain, through nearly all of the route travels along an at least semi-defined trail. It’s a long day out though, so make sure to start early if you plan on making a daytrip of it.
Into the Weminuche.
As mentioned, the trail in is very gradual as it ascends along the West Fork of the San Juan River, with a few spots of undulation requiring some climbing on the way out. The morning was perfect with not a cloud in the sky.
On the approach looking north.
Around 5.5 miles in we passed the Rainbow Hot Springs and designated campsite area, where we made sure to stash some towels and beer for later.
Lots of deadfall across the landscape but the trail is decently maintained even past the hot spring.
The route eventually switchbacks up a steep slope before mellowing out again in a meadow beyond a creek crossing around 9 miles in.
The faint West Fork trail as it passes through a recent wildfire burn area.
Roughly 11 miles in, shy of Piedra Pass, we broke off the trail and took a traversing climb up towards the Continental Divide. Not long after we were into the alpine tundra and had South River Peak in our sights.
The peak and its obvious summit block to the northeast. Click to enlarge.
After crossing a few snowfields, climbing up to the summit block and traversing around to the north before a final scramble to the summit ridge, we finally hit the top around 11am.
On the summit looking southwest. A decent amount of snow left on some aspects.
Looking west towards Rio Grande Pyramid and the rest of the interior Weminuche. Click to enlarge.
Signing in.
After a long summit stay we reversed our route back down and slowly plodded out the 13 miles back to the car. But not without a pit stop along the way…
A stop off at the Rainbow Hot Spring for a beer with 5 miles still left to go.
If you’re looking for a long day to hike a single peak in an otherwise pretty obscure area of the eastern Weminuche, you won’t be disappointed in South River Peak.
Thanks for the fun day out, Steve 🙂
Thanks for writing this. I need to add a few memorable moments from this day. First, that the one sweet-looking hot spring pool was overrun by high schoolers, relegating us to the lukewarm algae-clouded cesspools, guarded by a serpent. Then, Ben’s brave ford of the cold rushing San Juan water to the other side where another pool had been formed with rocks: that pool is likely a viable option in August and September. Oh and enjoying a beer on the hike out; that made the 5 1/2 miles go by a bit faster.
Very true, later in the year that hot spring likely has a lot more to offer.