Horseshoe Mountain - Just Hiking

Statistics

Date - 06/01/2026
Elevation - 10,926'
Route - South Ridge
Miles - 3.3
Elevation Gain - 1,416'
ACME Mapper - Link
CalTopo - Link
Partners - Not Applicable

Description

My latest work assignment had me back in the San Luis Valley. After work on Monday, I drove about 10 miles south of Del Norte, Colorado, and hiked Horseshoe Mountain. Not to be confused with the Centennial Peak near Fairplay, Colorado, this Horseshoe Mountain is in the Rio Grande National Forest. I followed a solid trail southwest and then west to the south ridge of the peak. From there it was an easy hike to Point 10733. Unfortunately, from here to the summit was an uncomfortable bushwhack to the summit. I nearly bailed due to the difficulty, but pressed on after dropping off the summit ridge proper to easier terrain.

After reaching the anticlimactic summit, I simply did a long descending traverse to the southeast back to the trailhead. I wanted to get out of the trees a quickly as possible and avoid the bushwhacking required to reach the summit. I started hiking at 5:25 pm and reached the summit at 6:50 pm. I didn't stay long and started down shortly after reaching the peak. I got back to the trailhead at 7:30 pm for a 2 hour and 5 minute car-to-car time.

Photos