Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 39.46270°N / 106.6354°W
Additional Information County: Eagle
Activities Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Skiing
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Additional Information Elevation: 12050 ft / 3673 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Charles Benchmark, also known as Charles Peak, is located at the western edge of the beautiful Holy Cross Wilderness of the Northern Sawatch Range. Charles Peak has low angle south and west faces, but its north face is quite steep.
Charles Benchmark
Charles Benchmark from the east


Charles is a low twelver, but ranked, coming in at 1282 highest in the state.
Charles Benchmark
Charles Benchmark from the northwest


The summit provides great views of its parent, Fools Peak, peaks north of East Brush Creek: Gold Dust Peak, New York Mountain, "North Gold Dust", "Pika Peak", 12525 & 12940 C & the lovely Elk Mountains to the south.
Charles Benchmark
Charles Benchmark from "Prospect Peak"

Getting There

Summer


Take exit 147 from Interstate 70, continue on US 6. Turn left on Capitol. Turn left onto Brush Creek Road. Turn left onto East Brush Creek Drive. Follow to road closure at Fulford Campground. Hike either the Ironedge or Lake Charles Trails. Click on map to enlarge.
Charles Benchmark
Charles Benchmark from Fulford Campground


Fall, Winter & Spring


Snow closure is in Yeoman Park, 5.6 miles from the Brush Creek & East Brush Creek Road intersection. Charles Peak is still daytripable, but is easier with an overnight stay at the Peter Estin Hut, especially if attempting Fools Peak in conjunction. Charles offers a beginner ski descent off its west face and advanced ski descents of its east and north faces down into East Brush Creek.

Red Tape

Climbers must fill out a self-issued permit at the trailhead.

Camping

There is established camping at the trailhead. There are also yurts just below the winter trailhead. Backcountry camping sites exist near Lake Charles and Mystic Lake. Finally, the Peter Estin Hut is less than 1 mile from Charles Benchmark.

External Links

Panoramic Photo from the summit



Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

Sawatch RangeMountains & Rocks
 
Northern Sawatch RangeMountains & Rocks
 
Colorado 12ersMountains & Rocks