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Redcloud and Sunshine Peak
Hiking Trail
Hard
9.95 mi
4,161 ft
A relatively mellow climb up two beautiful 14ers deep in the San Juans.
The climb up Red Cloud and Sunshine Peaks is a relatively straightforward hike on Class 1 and Class 2 terrain. Combining the two peaks does result in a relatively long day in the mountains, covering 10 miles and 4,200 feet of climbing and descending. These peaks will remind you that "there's no such thing as an easy 14er"!
Begin the approach from Cinnamon Pass Road by following the trail along Silver Creek up a mellow valley as you work your way toward the alpine. After reaching the basin below Redcloud, you'll begin "[zigzagging] up an easy slope to reach the 13,000-foot saddle," according to []( Once on the saddle, turn right and follow the well-defined trail up the ridge to the summit.
To reach Sunshine, drop down the ridge and make straight for the next peak. The "saddle between the two mountains descends about 500 feet," according to Kilimanjaro1 on []( "It took us right at 1 hour to reach the summit of Sunshine from the Redcloud summit," he continues.
Once you're done on the summit, descend via the Northwest Face, as mapped here. Note: *do not* backtrack around the ridge and descend from the saddle of the ridge, as this terrain is dangerous.
After descending the northwest face, you'll drop into a small valley. Follow the valley down to Silver Creek, then retrace your steps on that trail, back down the valley to your car. Mission accomplished!
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
The climb up Red Cloud and Sunshine Peaks is a relatively straightforward hike on Class 1 and Class 2 terrain. Combining the two peaks does result in a relatively long day in the mountains, covering 10 miles and 4,200 feet of climbing and descending. These peaks will remind you that "there's no such thing as an easy 14er"!
Begin the approach from Cinnamon Pass Road by following the trail along Silver Creek up a mellow valley as you work your way toward the alpine. After reaching the basin below Redcloud, you'll begin "[zigzagging] up an easy slope to reach the 13,000-foot saddle," according to []( Once on the saddle, turn right and follow the well-defined trail up the ridge to the summit.
To reach Sunshine, drop down the ridge and make straight for the next peak. The "saddle between the two mountains descends about 500 feet," according to Kilimanjaro1 on []( "It took us right at 1 hour to reach the summit of Sunshine from the Redcloud summit," he continues.
Once you're done on the summit, descend via the Northwest Face, as mapped here. Note: *do not* backtrack around the ridge and descend from the saddle of the ridge, as this terrain is dangerous.
After descending the northwest face, you'll drop into a small valley. Follow the valley down to Silver Creek, then retrace your steps on that trail, back down the valley to your car. Mission accomplished!
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine from TH | 5.86 mi | 3,612 ft | 11.5% |
| Redcloud Peak from TH | 4.02 mi | 3,612 ft | 17.0% |
| Shelf Rd Climb | 0.86 mi | 719 ft | 15.7% |
| Silver Creek TH to Sunshine NW Face split (ascent) | 1.60 mi | 886 ft | 10.4% |
| Shelf Rd Climb | 3.45 mi | 2,871 ft | 15.8% |
| Shelf Road Climb | 0.26 mi | 167 ft | 12.0% |
| the push | 0.64 mi | 774 ft | 22.7% |
| Maxx | 0.42 mi | 502 ft | 22.5% |
| Red Cloud to Sunshine | 1.76 mi | 522 ft | 3.7% |
| redcloud across to sunshine | 1.39 mi | -518 ft | -0.5% |
| Shelf Rd Climb | 0.39 mi | 446 ft | 21.5% |
| Sunshine NW Face split to TH (descent) | 1.58 mi | -889 ft | -10.6% |
| Finish of Redcloud, | 1.38 mi | -722 ft | -9.8% |