Rated a Class 1 trail, San Luis isn't technically difficult. However, as the most remote Colorado 14er, the logistics of simply getting within shouting distance of this peak are challenging. If you happen be thru-hiking the Colorado Trail (CT), however, it's a simple 3-mile detour from the main trail. And if peak bagging is in your blood, that is an opportunity you cannot pass up.
Trail Info
AllTrails link (note: this is CT Segment 20 and does not include final approach to San Luis)
Know before you go
Following this route to San Luis is not one of the standard routes. While this route does follow the final 3 miles of the South Ridge approach, doing this out and back as a day hike would be quite a bit longer than the standard routes (11.3 miles for South Ridge, 13 miles for Northeast Ridge). My recommendation is to only bag from this route if you're already on the CT.
This is a Colorado 14er, so take proper precautions. There are plenty of resources out there for how to minimize risk when summiting these high peaks. Start early, keep an eye on the weather, and aim to be below treeline before noon.
Standard route links
The Trail
While my journey to get here started back in Denver as part of the CT, this post will begin at the Stewart Creek Trailhead, which is the closest place you could theoretically park your car if you chose to do this route as a day-hike (again I don't recommend).
The trail from here is a long gradual ascent to the approach to San Luis. It's a mix of some open fields like this.
And some somewhat shaded forest sections. Something that stood out to me about this section were the number of dead trees, likely a result of bark beetles.
You may be greeted with some "wildlife" along this stretch of trail as well. I was happy to see that these cows were downstream of where I'd be filling my water later.
Around mile 338 (on the CT) is an open field, less than 4 miles from the San Luis summit. This is where I and a few other thru-hikers set up camp for the night. It's a bit more exposed than you'd like, but it was relatively flat, had a nearby water source, and was nowhere near the dead trees (which are dangerous to sleep near). All in all, a solid camp spot!
I woke up early the next day to try and bag San Luis just after sunrise. This trail was very easy to navigate, but it's important to point out the junction to San Luis, which is marked by a rather nondescript pole. Head right to begin the approach to San Luis (left continues along the CT).
The approach starts gradually.
But soon it gets steeper and the rocks get larger. The path to the summit is straightforward. Follow the rock cairns and/or the beaten down zig-zagging path.
For such a short-distance 14er, this one felt like it had an outsized number of false summits. Even at 300+ miles into the CT, those false peaks still demoralize me.
But the good news is, if you start early, you can catch the sunrise as you catch your breath. These 14er golden hour views never get old.
Fellow CT hikers Five Pairs and Navigator making that final push to the top.
Summitted! Nothing like these views to start your day.
For me though, this was just the beginning of a very long day that would include getting hailed on, running from thunderstorms, but ultimately sleeping in a warm bed in Lake City that night. Never a dull day out on the CT!
SS Reflections
Much like when I summited Mount Massive, this was a prime 14er opportunity. With just a 3-mile detour versus a logistical headache from Denver, it was an easy choice. As I continue to check 14ers off my list, comparing the beauty of each summit becomes increasingly challenging. But one thing is certain: every journey to the top is deeply satisfying.
Other helpful resources
The Trek's writeup about how to bag San Luis and every other 14er along the CT
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