"Coffeepot"

San Juan Range Overview

The San Juan Range is the largest mountain range in Colorado. It dominates southwestern Colorado. In Colorado, the San Juans are second in snowfall only to the Park Range. The San Juan Range is home to 342 peaks above thirteen thousand feet.


"Coffeepot". Photo: Kane

"Coffeepot" Overview

“Coffeepot” is located in the San Juan Range 0.4 miles southeast of Teakettle Mountain. “Coffeepot” was once referred to as S1 by the San Juan Mountaineers and has also been called Little Coffeepot (1). “Coffeepot” is one of the elite peaks in Colorado requiring fifth class climbing to reach its summit. The summit provides stunning views of Teakettle Mountain to the northwest and Potosi Peak to the southeast. “Coffeepot” is most easily accessed via Yankee Boy Basin. “Coffeepot” shares the same trailheads as nearby Teakettle Mountain and Potosi Peak.


Mount Sneffels, Cirque Mountain, Teakettle Mountain & "Coffeepot", from background to foreground. Photo taken from Potosi Peak by Kane

Getting There

Drive 0.4 miles southwest from Ouray, CO on US 550. Turn right onto Yankee Boy Basin Road (Ouray County 361). Continue 6.7 miles to a short side road at 10,700 feet. This is the two-wheel drive trailhead. Four-wheel drive vehicles can continue 0.9 miles further to a level area at 11,300 feet. There are parking areas on the south side of the road.


Coffeepot's East Face Route

From the four-wheel drive trailhead, one can see “Coffeepot”. Hike 0.2 miles north past a cliff band. Continue 0.2 miles north-northeast to 12,300 feet. Climb 0.35 miles northeast to 13,440 feet, staying to the right of Coffeepot’s southwest ridge. Traverse to the east side of “Coffeepot” and climb the southern of many chimneys. The climbing is rated 5.0-5.2 (2).

Red Tape

There is private property around the Yankee Boy Basin Road.

Camping

The Forest Service charges $12 per night to camp in designated areas along the Yankee Boy Basin Road.

References

1. San Juan Mountains
2. Colorado's Thirteeners: 13,800 to 13,999 Feet, From Hikes to Climbs

Images

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