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Summit trail for Mount Sopris featuring stunning views of the Roaring Fork Valley.


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Map Key

2.9

Miles

4.7

KM

61%

Runnable

12,908' 3,934 m

High

10,208' 3,111 m

Low

2,706' 825 m

Up

5' 2 m

Down

17%

Avg Grade (10°)

67%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · Views · Wildlife

Description

From lower Thomas Lake the trail ambles its way up to upper Thomas Lake. Take a few minutes to refuel at one, or both of the lakes and eye the Mt. Sopris summit.

From the lakes, the Mount Sopris trail switchbacks steeply to the ridge above. Once you finally gain the ridge you'll be able to spot the Elk Mountains - largest being Capitol Peak (14,130'). The trail now quickly becomes talus, which proves to make route finding difficult. Continue to climb along the ridge and negotiate the large talus field. You'll know you're off route if you stray too far north of the ridgeline (south is a precipitous drop off).

Once the trail bears almost exactly due west you'll be on the start of the summit ridge. Continue on Mount Sopris Trail and gain the false summit. If you look north, you'll see the massive skree field cascading below you - according to NOAA, this is actually one of the few mountains in North America with a Rock Glacier.

Once atop the false summit gain the second false summit as you traverse west along the ridge. Now the only thing left is to gain the actual summit! Continue to traverse west as the Mount Sopris Trail takes you along the ridge all the way to the Mount Sopris summit (12,965').

Flora & Fauna

Keep an eye out for Pika and Marmot!

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Liz

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 4 votes

#804

Overall
  5.0 from 4 votes
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Trail Rankings

#133

in Colorado

#804

Overall
5 Views Last Month
700 Since Dec 15, 2014
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Photos

View of the Elk Mountains from the summit of Mount Sopris.
Dec 15, 2014 near Carbondale, CO
Looking down the talus field to the Roaring Fork Valley on the Mount Sopris Trail.
Dec 15, 2014 near El Jebel, CO
This is off a little trail coming from campsite 11 if I remember correctly.
Oct 20, 2017 near El Jebel, CO
Ridge.
Oct 20, 2017 near El Jebel, CO
Even a chihuahua can do it without carrying her!
Oct 20, 2017 near El Jebel, CO
Almost there!
Aug 31, 2023 near El Jebel, CO

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