Starr Peak and Sheepshead

Overview

Starr Peak is the name given to the northeastern summit of Thorodin Mountain in Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado. Starr Peak resides in the northeastern corner of Gilpin County, Colorado. Latitudinally, the peak is approximately half way between the cities of Boulder and Golden. Longitudinally, Starr Peak is about 1/3 of the way from Boulder to the Continental Divide. The coordinates and elevation shown on this page are for Starr Peak.

Sheepshead is the name given to the rocky outcropping 0.12 miles to the southeast of Starr Peak. Its coordinates are 39.89265°N / 105.41743°W. Its elevation is 10,493 ft (3,198 m).

With sufficient distance east (approximately 8 miles) from the eastern-most edge of the Front Range, one can clearly see Starr Peak and Sheepshead looming 2,000 feet above the initial smaller summits which rise from the Colorado plains.

As of May, 2010, most maps (including the Tungsten USGS) show some outdated, possibly misleading information about Starr Peak:

1. Some maps shows that a lookout tower exists at the summit. The National Historic Lookout Register shows that although a 40 foot steel tower was built in 1941, it was taken down in 1996. What exists now in its place is a large roof top antenna structure built by American Tower.

2. Some maps show a pack trail leading up to the summit from a jeep trail to the northeast. On some maps the pack trail is shown as "Mt Thorodin Trail" or "Trail 903". On some maps the jeep trail is shown as "Boiling Gulch Trail" or "Trail 806". Some maps show the "Boiling Gulch Trail" going north to the town of Pinecliffe. As of May, 2010 there is no public trailhead at either end of the "Boiling Gulch Trail". Land at the Pinecliffe end of the trail as well as the southeast end of the trail is now private. Much of the land that the "Boiling Gulch Trail" leads through is now private as well.

3. Some maps show a jeep trail leading up to the summit from the southeast. There is no public trailhead at the start of the jeep trail.

With that said, the easiest legal way to reach the summit of Starr Peak and Sheepshead is from the southwest in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Starr Peak has a prominence of 351 feet above the saddle between it and its nearest highest neighbor, Thorodin Mountain 0.78 miles to the southwest. When approaching Starr Peak and Sheepshead from the southwest, many hikers ascend Thorodin Mountain as well to form a threesome.

The view from the summit of Starr Peak to the west is expansive. One can see Longs Peak, the Indian Peaks, James Peak, Grays and Torreys Peaks, Mount Evans, and Pikes Peak. Views from the summit of Starr Peak to the east are blocked by a combination of the large antenna building and the trees that reside immediately east of the building.

The view from the summit of Sheepshead is virtually unobstructed in all directions (with the exception of much of the Indian Peaks to the northwest which are blocked by slightly-higher nearby Starr Peak). From here, one can see Longs Peak, the entire Boulder Range (the peaks which reside above the town of Boulder, Colorado), Pikes Peak, Mount Evans, Grays and Torreys Peaks, and James Peak.

Getting There

The easiest approach to the summits of Starr Peak and Sheepshead involves starting from the Gap Road Access to Tremont Mountain, Thorodin Mountain, Starr Peak, and Sheepshead in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Red Tape

As of May 2012, a $7.00 fee is required to enter Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Camping

Many pay camping areas exist along Gap Road in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

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Images

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