Paiute Peak - 8.6 Miles Round-Trip

Paiute Peak (13,088') is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness between Mt Audubon and Mt Toll. No trail reaches the summit, however two non-technical routes from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead offer access.

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The first and longer route scales Mt Audubon on a well-maintained trail, and continues along its rugged west ridge to Paiute Peak. There's some class III scrambling on this approach, but most find it on par with other ascents in the area.

The second follows a moderate trail to Blue Lake, and a more challenging social route to Little Blue Lake. From here you must locate a steep couloir that climbs 850' in just .4 miles to the summit.

No matter how you tackle it, Paiute Peak offers exceptional views of its two iconic neighbors, and across the northern Indian Peaks, Coney Lake valley and Rocky Mountain National Park.

The following description takes the Blue Lake route, preferable for its more varied alpine terrain and freedom from trails after a shorter distance:

The trail moves quickly to Mitchell Lake, which occupies a marshy flat at the base of Mt Audubon (.85 miles : 10,725'). It crosses Mitchell Lake's inlet (1.1 miles) and steepens into the center of the valley above several outlying ponds. Look for moose in this willow-lined corridor

The trail undulates through treeline to a wide cascade and crests just above the east shore of Blue Lake (2.55 miles : 11,355'). A well-defined trail continues along and up the north side of Blue Lake for a short time before losing clarity in the open landscape.

Cairns offer guidance, but rugged terrain will likely force some improvisation up to Little Blue Lake at the base of Paiute and Audubon (3.25 miles : 11,833').

The couloir you must find is located directly above the steep talus slope on the far side of Little Blue Lake. You can take this difficult section head-on, but it's easier to follow a longer route up a ridge that wraps the south side of the lake (3.65 miles : 12,059').

This uneven section levels in the valley's upper basin, where at least one large cairn marks the base of the correct couloir on the southeast face of Paiute Peak (3.88 miles : 12,238').

From here it's nothing fancy - just a very steep push on loose scree and sand until reaching terra firma in a rocky notch with views west of the Divide (4.15 miles : 12,843').

The ground stabilizes while threading talus up to a second notch with a great look at Longs Peak. Continue the intuitive scramble up to Paiute Peak (4.27 miles : 13,088').

Views are incredible from the summit, notably of Upper Coney Lake and Coney Lake (north), Mt Audubon (east) and Mt Toll and Pawnee Peak (south across the valley). Paiute Peak has a distinct cleft summit, with the summit register located on the first 'lobe'.

Keep track of your route to the summit, because the couloir may be tricky to locate on the return - any other route can prove difficult if not dangerous. On the descent, anticipate sliding rocks and be prepared to get out of your own way.

It's also possible to return via the Audubon ridge, which is easy to identify. This adds nominal distance and forms a great loop back to Mitchell Lake Trailhead. Be mindful of time on the exposed and slow-going Audubon ridge if weather approaches.