Creede, CO – For vast vistas of the San Juan Mountains and a top of the world experience, a hike on Snow Mesa will not disappoint. Starting from Spring Creek Pass at 10,898 feet, Snow Mesa is reached via heading east on the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail (an overlap section). For information about the Colorado Trail we use The Colorado Trail Databook Pack Guide (there is also a Guide Book) from the Colorado Trail Foundation and the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map book for the Colorado Trail South #1201 (Durango to Monarch) and the Colorado Trail North #1202 (Monarch to Denver).
The trail starts from Spring Creek Pass at 10,898 feet elevation
Look for the Snow Mesa CT/CDT sign across Highway 149 from the parking area
The trail climbs through open conifer forest for almost 2 miles with intermittent views through breaks in the trees. To reach Snow Mesa, you will be climbing a little over 1,350 feet. In early July, wildflowers were on display, including Columbines.
The trail begins by climbing through forest
The trees and vegetation open up as you climb
Mountain view from the lower section
Columbines along the trail
Looking ahead at the amount to climb before reaching the mesa
The final ascent to Snow Mesa is through a rocky gulch. As you climb through the talus, chirps from pikas follow you up the trail. They can be spotted running through the rocky terrain. As you reach the rock cairn visible at the top of the gulch, you step out onto the beginning of Snow Mesa at 12,251 feet, a broad expanse of grassland.
Talus slopes of the final climb
Looking back during the final climb through talus
Tiny alpine flowers along the talus section: pink moss campion
Another view of the talus section
Looking back over the trail from the final section of the gulch
The final rock cairn on the edge of the mesa (look for the post) shows the exit from the talus
Once you reach the top, you can hike on Snow Mesa for up to 3.5 miles before reaching the far side. The trail is packed dirt and gently rolling. There are fantastic views of the San Juan Mountains. Mike decided to make an optional ascent of 13,383 foot Baldy Cinco Peak, located on the north side of the mesa.
The Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail on Snow Mesa with San Juan Mountain views
On Snow Mesa looking back toward the gulch
San Juan Mountains from Snow Mesa
Baldy No Es Cinco (L) and Baldy Cinco (R)
View from Baldy Cinco
We hiked the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail to Snow Mesa while we were staying in Creede, Colorado at the Mountain Views at Rivers Edge RV Resort & Park. While in Creede, we also hiked the Hobbit Trail and did an overnight backpacking trip in the Weminuche Wilderness. We took our Jeep on the Rio Grande Reservoir Road to Kite Lake, Stony Pass and Silverton and returned via the Cinnamon Pass route. We also toured the Bachelor Loop.
During this SW Colorado trip we’ve also hiked on the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail at:
- Molas Pass: Colorado Trail from Durango
- Stony Pass: Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail from Ouray/Silverton
- Wolf Creek Pass: Continental Divide Trail from Pagosa Springs
- Elwood Pass: Continental Divide Trail from Pagosa Springs
- Spring Creek Pass: Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail west/south from Creede
