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

Jul 29, 2023 — 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.