Avery Peak Summit Trail

This segment is part of the Avery Peak Out and Back Standard Route. Refer to that route for a complete description. This is the route to the summit of Avery Peak that doesn't include climbing the face. Drive Gothic Rd to the Judd Falls parking lot. The lower or upper lot is fine, choose according to your vehicle. From the parking lot, continue along the trail until you reach a junction, take the left fork and start up the hill in the aspens. If it's fall, you'll get a lovely golden display on your hike. The trail is an old road for a while as it heads north, you should have some great views of Gothic Mountain in this section. When you reach the forest, the trail narrows and continues to climb. Eventually, the trail leaves the forest and heads pretty straight up a grassy hill, continue on the trail when it cuts across the hill. From here, the route gets pretty loose as you continue up the mountain. There are definitely a few trail options here, pick one that looks good to you and continue up till you can gain the ridge. Once you gain the ridge, continue up till you reach Avery summit at 12,644'. The 360deg views from the summit are phenomenal. There are exceptional views of Gothic Mountain and valley to the west, Mount Crested Butte to the south and the Maroon Bells to the north. This is a great place to stop and sit awhile and have a snack before reversing your approach and making your way back down to your car.