San Isabel National Forest
Mount Sherman

Mt. Sherman is a 14er in the Mosquito Range. Most folks climb it from the eastern side, through Pike National Forest, but there is one good trail leading up on the western side of the ridge.

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 11,900'
• High Point: 14,036'
• Trail ending: 14,036'

Access: Go east for 0.3 miles from downtown Leadville on East Third Street to South Toledo Street. Turn south, go past East Monroe Street (0.4 miles) and continue south then east on paved Lake County Road 2. About 4 more miles and there's a fork in the road. Stay to the north and go north of the ASARCO Mine (this is where the snow plow stops in the winter time). Keep on to the east on the north side of Iowa Gulch, pass under the large power lines and park, about 6.4 miles from Leadville. This is at about 11,900' in elevation. The trail heads off to the south and crosses Iowa Creek before heading up the hill. To the south is Mt. Sheridan (13,748'), to the east is Mt. Sherman (14,036') and to the northeast is Gemini Peak (13,951'), one of Colorado's 100 highest mountain peaks.

Notes: Look at the valley to the south of where you parked the car: you want to be east of the willows down there before you head in. Across the flat open area at the bottom of the valley, there is a shallow gully that leads up to the 13,140' saddle between Sherman and Sheridan. There is a good trail near that gully that follows the gully through a number of switchbacks up that wall to the saddle. Once you gain the saddle, turn northeast and follow Sherman's southwest ridge to the summit: 0.9 miles on a good trail. From trailhead to summit is about 4.2 miles round trip.

USGS Maps: Mount Sherman