Sunshine Peak via Cinnamon Pass Road(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate one way trail to Sunshine Peak in Redcloud Peak Wilderness Study Area.

This trail goes by Redcloud Peak.

You will walk up the drainage and see the powerful destruction of huge avalanches off Redcloud and Sunshine. There are downed trees that will cause you to do a little route finding around the obstructions. These sections are very short and easy to navigate due to high traffic on the trail. Once above treeline, the trail is very easy to follow up to the ridge. Once on the ridge there are sections where rocks have slid over the trail. Once again, this is a short section and you should be able to find the trail just past the mini rock slides.

This trail is 12 miles and 4300 vertical feet of gain as an out and back. It is possible to connect to a trail descending the South Fork of Silver Creek back to the approach trail. There are also trails linking many of the 13ers in the area.

Getting Started

Driving over Cinnamon pass is relatively easy. There is some exposure but not nearly as bad as Imogene or Black Bear. The drive takes about 1 hour once you make the turn from Animas Forks. There are a few tighter switchbacks on the Lake City side of Cinnamon. Long wheel bases might need to make a multi-point turn.

Taking Children

These would be good 14ers for children. There is some exposure just before reaching the Redcloud summit. Just keep the kids in front of you and away from the edge. This hike is popular with dogs.