Kiefer - Aug 8, 2022 7:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2022
Tobacco Lake
While the views from the summit were actually quite nice, that trail was a DIASTER. For anyone who thinks mountain bikers destroy a trail, hasn't seen what cattle can do. Holy Hell, the trail is a complete train wreck.
And to boot, the original trail #715 is so primitive, it's pretty much gone. It's been swallowed by the forest and the wetlands it crosses, which, honestly, putting a trail through an alpine wetland is a bad idea anyway.
Highly recommended. Lots of elk. Made a big loop from S. Fork Conejos up to Blue Lake, Glacier Lake, Twin Lakes, the peak, then down to Bear Lake connection in 5 days.
BKiser90 - Jun 12, 2022 3:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2022
Via Tobacco Lake
Road is a bit bumpy to the Tobacco Lake TH but doable in a Subaru or other mid to high clearance AWD/4WD. Trail is mostly solid and easy to follow. Fantastic views of the South San Juans, wildlife, and distant New Mexico peaks.
jdzaharia - Oct 6, 2021 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2021
Long Dayhike Loop
Parked at the Saddle Creek TH, walked up the road to the Tobacco Lake TH, hiked up to Tobacco Lake, then up to Conejos Peak. Then, I hiked across the top, past Crater Lake, down past Twin Lakes and out to Saddle Creek TH via the Rincon Trail.
Sarah Simon - Sep 3, 2019 11:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2019
Loop from Twin Lakes TH
What a gorgeous area! We started at the Twin Lakes TH (got a Murano sport wagon up there fairly easily) and ascended the arm of Conojos (surprised to find a trail most of the way) to the summit. Them we descended via the Tobacco Lake Trail. Only bad part was the short bushwhack to reconnect to the Twin Lakes Trail. Marshy, prickly mess.
Natejitsu - Jul 8, 2018 3:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2018
Ascent from SE Ridge via Rincon Trail
Relatively simple climb, but I found myself rather tired out with a full pack on. Somewhat easy to lose trail, particularly right after reentering the forest after pulling away from the small creek that feeds into Saddle Creek. Keep left on the ascent.
Also, the road is NOT a low clearance road like the trail description says. I would assume that 2wd is accurate, at least up to the trailhead, but if you drive a low clearance vehicle you are seriously risking getting stuck. We needed the passenger to get out and find lines, and even then it was quite risky.
More info and pics here: http://natejitsu.blogspot.com/2018/07/conejos-peaksouth-san-juan-wilderness.html
chicagotransplant - Aug 25, 2013 10:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2013
Saddle Creek
Saddle Creek route with PT 12555, very foggy and a little rainy, so unfortunately no summit views. Climbed with Scot, Kimo and Anna.
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
w/ Roo
Even better than the day before. Fun!
Ruvicha - Apr 10, 2012 9:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
Rustlers on the mountain?
As we were hiking up, we passed a cowboy herding some cattle. A short while later, a rider who looked for all the world like the sheriff in a Western came riding down hard and fast and asked if we had seen anyone driving cattle. "Sure," we said, "about a quarter hour ago, back down the trail." Without another word, he galloped off in hot pursuit. On the return, we noticed that a section of fence across the trail that was all right on the way up had been flattened. Someone had gone through there in a hurry.
Oh, yeah, the hike. It was great. As others have remarked, this is a gentle but scenic hike with great views of the Platoro region. If you have the energy, you can hike up a spur about a half mile north of the summit, which would give you two 13ers in one outing.
Larry V - Aug 24, 2011 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2011
Colorado County Highpoint #33
Up via Saddle Creek trail and east ridge. Down via Tobacco Lake. Beautiful area, great for camping. I was surprised at the amount of traffic on this peak. There must have been 10-20 sign-ins per week on the summit register. Met three groups of hikers going up, on my way down.
SarahThompson - Sep 15, 2009 2:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2009
Tobacco Lake
Made the mistake of climbing this peak during hunting season not knowing that it was such a mecca for hunters. Glad I had an orange jacket along! The crux of this hike is driving the endless miles of dirt road to the trailhead. Pretty area though.
I came up trail 720 and followed it all the way to the top of the ridge that extends east and a little bit south of Conejos. From there it was a pleasant stroll along the long ridge. Descended the normal route, but I really enjoyed the great views from the ridge as I approached the peak.
kavak - Oct 21, 2008 9:51 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2004
Tobacco Lake Trail
Beautiful weather and a pleasant trail took me to the top of this mountain. It was very relaxing in fact and I had the summit to myself.
I've climbed this peak at least five different times. Every year I camp at the Lake Fork Campground and hike the South San Juan Wilderness. This peak is a lot easier since the Tobacco Lake Trailhead was created. Before that you had to start from the South Fork Trailhead.
Scott Wisher - Jul 15, 2007 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2007
Colorado County Highpoint #22
After finally finding the trailhead, this is a beautiful day-hike.
Route Climbed: Tobacco Lake Trail Date Climbed: August 8, 2005
Wonderful dayhike with my favorite partner. Watch out for the "wild" cows in the meadow. Wonderful panoramic views from the summit...and because the hike is way doable you can spend lots of time contemplating them.
Kiefer - Aug 8, 2022 7:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2022
Tobacco LakeWhile the views from the summit were actually quite nice, that trail was a DIASTER. For anyone who thinks mountain bikers destroy a trail, hasn't seen what cattle can do. Holy Hell, the trail is a complete train wreck.
And to boot, the original trail #715 is so primitive, it's pretty much gone. It's been swallowed by the forest and the wetlands it crosses, which, honestly, putting a trail through an alpine wetland is a bad idea anyway.
D-bo - Jul 24, 2022 6:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2022
Loved it.Highly recommended. Lots of elk. Made a big loop from S. Fork Conejos up to Blue Lake, Glacier Lake, Twin Lakes, the peak, then down to Bear Lake connection in 5 days.
BKiser90 - Jun 12, 2022 3:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2022
Via Tobacco LakeRoad is a bit bumpy to the Tobacco Lake TH but doable in a Subaru or other mid to high clearance AWD/4WD. Trail is mostly solid and easy to follow. Fantastic views of the South San Juans, wildlife, and distant New Mexico peaks.
jdzaharia - Oct 6, 2021 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2021
Long Dayhike LoopParked at the Saddle Creek TH, walked up the road to the Tobacco Lake TH, hiked up to Tobacco Lake, then up to Conejos Peak. Then, I hiked across the top, past Crater Lake, down past Twin Lakes and out to Saddle Creek TH via the Rincon Trail.
Sarah Simon - Sep 3, 2019 11:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2019
Loop from Twin Lakes THWhat a gorgeous area! We started at the Twin Lakes TH (got a Murano sport wagon up there fairly easily) and ascended the arm of Conojos (surprised to find a trail most of the way) to the summit. Them we descended via the Tobacco Lake Trail. Only bad part was the short bushwhack to reconnect to the Twin Lakes Trail. Marshy, prickly mess.
Natejitsu - Jul 8, 2018 3:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2018
Ascent from SE Ridge via Rincon TrailRelatively simple climb, but I found myself rather tired out with a full pack on. Somewhat easy to lose trail, particularly right after reentering the forest after pulling away from the small creek that feeds into Saddle Creek. Keep left on the ascent.
Also, the road is NOT a low clearance road like the trail description says. I would assume that 2wd is accurate, at least up to the trailhead, but if you drive a low clearance vehicle you are seriously risking getting stuck. We needed the passenger to get out and find lines, and even then it was quite risky.
More info and pics here: http://natejitsu.blogspot.com/2018/07/conejos-peaksouth-san-juan-wilderness.html
chicagotransplant - Aug 25, 2013 10:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2013
Saddle CreekSaddle Creek route with PT 12555, very foggy and a little rainy, so unfortunately no summit views. Climbed with Scot, Kimo and Anna.
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
w/ RooEven better than the day before. Fun!
Ruvicha - Apr 10, 2012 9:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
Rustlers on the mountain?As we were hiking up, we passed a cowboy herding some cattle. A short while later, a rider who looked for all the world like the sheriff in a Western came riding down hard and fast and asked if we had seen anyone driving cattle. "Sure," we said, "about a quarter hour ago, back down the trail." Without another word, he galloped off in hot pursuit. On the return, we noticed that a section of fence across the trail that was all right on the way up had been flattened. Someone had gone through there in a hurry.
Oh, yeah, the hike. It was great. As others have remarked, this is a gentle but scenic hike with great views of the Platoro region. If you have the energy, you can hike up a spur about a half mile north of the summit, which would give you two 13ers in one outing.
Larry V - Aug 24, 2011 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2011
Colorado County Highpoint #33Up via Saddle Creek trail and east ridge. Down via Tobacco Lake. Beautiful area, great for camping. I was surprised at the amount of traffic on this peak. There must have been 10-20 sign-ins per week on the summit register. Met three groups of hikers going up, on my way down.
SarahThompson - Sep 15, 2009 2:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2009
Tobacco LakeMade the mistake of climbing this peak during hunting season not knowing that it was such a mecca for hunters. Glad I had an orange jacket along! The crux of this hike is driving the endless miles of dirt road to the trailhead. Pretty area though.
weeds19 - Jul 26, 2009 6:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2009
East RidgeI came up trail 720 and followed it all the way to the top of the ridge that extends east and a little bit south of Conejos. From there it was a pleasant stroll along the long ridge. Descended the normal route, but I really enjoyed the great views from the ridge as I approached the peak.
kavak - Oct 21, 2008 9:51 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2004
Tobacco Lake TrailBeautiful weather and a pleasant trail took me to the top of this mountain. It was very relaxing in fact and I had the summit to myself.
okie - Mar 13, 2008 1:08 am
A Great MountainI've climbed this peak at least five different times. Every year I camp at the Lake Fork Campground and hike the South San Juan Wilderness. This peak is a lot easier since the Tobacco Lake Trailhead was created. Before that you had to start from the South Fork Trailhead.
Scott Wisher - Jul 15, 2007 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2007
Colorado County Highpoint #22After finally finding the trailhead, this is a beautiful day-hike.
tacoturner - Dec 26, 2006 6:20 am
Route Climbed: Tobacco Lake Trailbeen climbing this short but rewarding peak bag at least once every year on summer vacations to the Conejos River area for a number of years
jordancl - Aug 21, 2005 3:27 pm
Route Climbed: Tobacco Lake Trail Date Climbed: Summer 04Great peak in my home range. Highest point in my county. Sad to see someone found it and posted it.
cruzit - Aug 13, 2005 9:32 am
Route Climbed: Tobacco Lake Trail Date Climbed: August 8, 2005Wonderful dayhike with my favorite partner. Watch out for the "wild" cows in the meadow. Wonderful panoramic views from the summit...and because the hike is way doable you can spend lots of time contemplating them.
Alan Ellis - Aug 11, 2005 6:09 pm
Route Climbed: Tobacco Lake Trail Date Climbed: August 8, 2005A day in the mountains does not get any better than this. Although an easy little day hike, the views of the South San Juan are spectacular.