Pike National Forest
Mount Silverheels

Mount Silverheels is one of Colorado's 100 highest peaks. It's an easy climb just to the northeast of Fairplay. There are no "official" trails but there are several easy general routes. Below is probably the easiest. The north face of the mountin has some good cliffs so most folks climb from the south, east or west, and usually in the summer, fall or winter.

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 10,740'
• High Point: 13,822'
• Trail ending: 13,822'

Access: Go north-northwest out of Fairplay on Beaver Creek Lane for about 2 miles. Turn east onto FSR 413 and go 0.3 miles to a Forest Service gate (the winter trailhead). Beyond the gate go north on FS 659 for 1.9 miles to the junction with FS 184. If you have 4WD and high clearance, you may be able to cross Beaver Creek and follow FS 184 for another mile north-northeast. If not, the junction of FS 659 and FS 184 is the trailhead.

Notes: At the high point of FS 184 (11,160'), there's a closed road that heads north up the hill. Go about 1.1 miles up, through the bristlecone pines to just about treeline. At 12,000' the road starts to go northeast. Leave the road and climb north 0.3 miles to the summit of Point 12,282. Cross that summit and drop down a bit, then go another mile north on grassy slopes to Point 13,004. Cross over and drop a bit again before heading up the last 0.8 miles on easy slopes to the summit of Silverheels.

USGS Maps: Alma