Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Lookout Peak, elevation 13,669’, is a Bicentennial 13er (top 200 peaks in CO) located on top of Ophir Pass near Silverton, Colorado. After climbing Mt Sneffels, we drove up Ophir Pass Road off Million Dollar Highway and camped about 1/2 mile from the Pass. Early next morning I set out to solo-climb this peak. The climb started in earnest after leaving the trailhead, and there is a faint social trail for the lower part of the route. After reaching the south ridge of the peak, the climb gets more interesting. There were lots of loose rocks, typical of mountains in this range, and the crux came about 100 ft below the summit. I chose a class 4 crack option which had solid rock (for the most part), and I found it much more enjoyable to climb instead of the loose alternatives. Soon I was on top of Lookout Peak overlooking the magnificent Columbine Lake, with endless views in all directions. On the way back I again took the class 4 option down and also did a short excursion to check out Ophir Pass proper. Total stats: 3 miles with 2000ft gain
Music:
Horizon and Standing in the Sun, by Punch Deck
0:00 Intro and initial approach
04:23 Climbing the ridge
08:53 Summit views
13:44 Descent
#sanjuanmountains
Lookout Peak, elevation 13,669’, is a Bicentennial 13er (top 200 peaks in CO) located on top of Ophir Pass near Silverton, Colorado. After climbing Mt Sneffels, we drove up Ophir Pass Road off Million Dollar Highway and camped about 1/2 mile from the Pass. Early next morning I set out to solo-climb this peak. The climb started in earnest after leaving the trailhead, and there is a faint social trail for the lower part of the route. After reaching the south ridge of the peak, the climb gets more interesting. There were lots of loose rocks, typical of mountains in this range, and the crux came about 100 ft below the summit. I chose a class 4 crack option which had solid rock (for the most part), and I found it much more enjoyable to climb instead of the loose alternatives. Soon I was on top of Lookout Peak overlooking the magnificent Columbine Lake, with endless views in all directions. On the way back I again took the class 4 option down and also did a short excursion to check out Ophir Pass proper. Total stats: 3 miles with 2000ft gain
Music:
Horizon and Standing in the Sun, by Punch Deck
0:00 Intro and initial approach
04:23 Climbing the ridge
08:53 Summit views
13:44 Descent
#sanjuanmountains
