Plan with
Confidence
During the winter months the road is usually closed closer to 11,000 ft.
Path Type
There and Back
The standard route starts at the Fourmile Creek trailhead and heads up the southwest ridge. From Fairplay, drive south just one mile on 285. Turn right onto County Road 18 and drive 10 miles to the Leavick upper parking area at 11,200 ft. In good conditions, the gate at Leavick is open and 4WD and burly 2WD cars can make it up to 12,000 ft, with various pulloff spots along the road. From the Leavick upper parking area, begin up the road, passing a gate at 12,000 feet which leads to the Dauntless Mine and some old wooden buildings at 12,300 feet. Continue northwest into a basin below Hilltop Mine and follow the old road up to the mine at 12,900 feet. From here, head west as the grade increases and hike up loose rock along a rough trail to the 13,140-foot-high saddle between Mount Sherman on the right (north) and 13,748-foot Mount Sheridan on the left (south). Next, navigate to the right on Mt. Shermans southwest ridge, following braided trails along the ridgeline. After a few hundred feet the ridge begins to narrow but stays wide enough to avoid any danger. There are some scrambly spots than can be avoided with good route finding skills. Continue up along the ridge crest to the mountains long, flat summit. Find the summit cairn and the summit register (a PVC pipe attached to a pole), sign your name and enjoy the views.
In January 1967 an Aspen-bound charter flight crash-landed on the summit after experiencing violent down-drafts during an unexpected storm. Parts of the Cessna 310 can still be found on the mountain. Landing in deep winter snow, none of the passengers were harmed. It ultimately took twenty hours for a rescue team to reach the downed aircraft by helicopter. Everyone was rescued and pilot Jimmy Williamson ended up having the unexpected honor of being the first person to land an airplane on a 14er!
Some Issues
Had to park around 11,000 ft (near the first intersection of Four Mile Cr Rd and Leavick Rd). It's a little more than 2.5 miles to the trailhead from there. I only made it as far as the trailhead - there's between 12" to 24" of snow on the road with many post holes. I was able to make my way to the trailhead with hiking boots, but I put the snowshoes on to go back down. Very cold and windy. There is a creek with running water nearby the road - just beware that there are many old mines up here and I wouldn't risk trying to filter water from it.
All Clear
Busy parking area by 7am, but plenty of space. Easy trail to follow. Changes from packed dirt to loose rock for most of the way, all talus above 13,700. Snow was coming in much earlier in the day than expected. Moved quickly from the south west.
All Clear
Dry from TH to summit. Easier than I was told. 3:13 car to car. Very crowded.
Some Issues
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