Mt. Shavano

Note: CFI is currently doing some trail work and rerouting on Mt Shavano, this is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Because of this there may be some differences on the ground vs what is shown in the map, when completed the trail will be updated to reflect the new route

Mount Shavano is the southernmost 14er in the Sawatch range and very visible from the Salida area. The main route is the East Slopes Route via the Mount Shavano trail. It is a steady incline from the parking lot to the summit on a well-designed trail.  It is often combined with its neighbor and fellow 14er, Tabeguache Peak.

Very quickly after leaving the parking lot, there is a junction, stay right on the Colorado Trail. After ~.25 miles there is another junction, go left on the Mount Shavano trail.  Most of the first ~2.5 miles is in the forest with a stream crossing (there are logs but be careful during runoff season). The trail stays well defined after you break treeline and to the saddle at 13,300 feet. The first part of the summit ridge is on good trail but the last few hundred vertical feet (~13,500 feet) it gets rockier and the trail less defined. There are several social trails through this area, in general stay on the most defined trail and when in doubt, stay just to the right of the ridge crest until you make the summit.

Class: 2. The Mount Shavano Trail is considered class 2, it is mostly on a well defined and built trail but there are some rockier areas near the top.

Trailhead/Parking: The trailhead is open seasonally (conditions dependent) so contact the forest service for current conditions. The trailhead is accessed via dirt road, although some spots can be rough so some ground clearance is needed to make the trailhead.