Peak: 12,889’
• Mount Flora: 13,132’
Wilderness Area and Range
James Peak Wilderness, Front Range
Trailhead Distance from I-70
9.6 miles
Driving Directions
From either eastbound or westbound I-70, take Exit 238 toward Fall River Road and reset your trip odometer. Head north on the paved Fall River Road. There are two wicked sharp switchbacks on this road; the first is at 4.5 miles. At the second switchback in 6.6 miles, turn left off the road, then take a quick right onto Rainbow Road (dirt). From here, it is 3.0 miles to Fall River Reservoir parking.
The dirt road is rocky but is fine for SUVs with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Sport utility cars (SUCs) with high clearance (Honda CR-V/Toyota RAV4) can make the trailhead if carefully driven. The first 2 miles are relatively easy four-wheel-drive terrain. Be sure to stay on the wide, well-traveled main road—there are dozens of side roads that branch off along the way. At mile 6.7, you’ll arrive at a fork in the road. Stay right for Fall River Reservoir. The left branch goes to Chinns Lake parking. The last 0.8 mile is the roughest, so if you have a marginal off-road vehicle, consider parking here. It’s 0.9 mile to Chinns Lake from this junction (worth knowing if you have to park here and want to loop Mount Eva and Witter Peak). However, if you made it this far, the last section to the trailhead is just a touch steeper and rockier than what you’ve already driven. Park on the right, flatter side or unleash your inner four-wheel-drive beast and hammer up the steep, short hill on the left to the jeep parking (about 100 feet farther than the flat parking).
Vehicle Recommendations
SUVs and tough SUCs will be able to make it to Fall River Reservoir, though all-wheel drive and lower-clearance vehicles should take it easy on the bouncy rocks.
Fees/Camping
There are no fees to park, hike, or camp. Camping is allowed in Arapaho National Forest, and there are a few primitive sites at the trailhead, but no restrooms. Please use leave-no-trace guidelines when camping.
Dog Regulations
Dogs are allowed on leash in the James Peak Wilderness.
Summary
Peak baggers rejoice; there’s a lot to get done out of this trailhead. Even in the height of summer, foot traffic to these mountains is very low (though there’s likely to be a lot of people fishing or just hanging out at the reservoir). From the trailhead, the direct northeast ridge of Mount Eva (Class 3–4) makes quite an impression. This guide uses the traditional hiking route that skirts to the north and avoids this ridge. There aren’t any formal trails, but getting around the reservoir and into the basin above requires easy, off-trail navigation—just follow the waterfalls.
A recurring theme in this guide is the sheer number of combinations and route options available from each trailhead, and this one is no exception. Snag several peaks, or just go out and back. A tour north gains the mountain ridges via Parry’s surprisingly fun southeast rib. From there, Mount Bancroft and James Peak are a fun northern loop, while Parry–Eva to the south is just as good. For a direct line up Eva, stay in the basin and hit a steep but sturdy grass slope to Eva’s southeast ridge saddle. From there, a fun Class 2+ scramble tops out on an extremely scenic summit. An easy 1.2-mile jaunt from Eva goes to the flat summit of Witter Peak, an unassuming summit with dramatic cliffs off its south face. A fun Class 2 scramble down Witter’s East Ridge closes a high-quality loop to Chinns Lake. A brief flood-ravaged but passable drainage connects Chinns Lake with Fall River Reservoir.
Parry Peak, the high point in the James Peak Wilderness, is named for Dr. Charles Parry, a botanist and surveyor who was the first white man to climb and chart nearby Grays Peak in 1861. Mount Eva is named after his wife, though since she shared his last name, perhaps she could claim to have both peaks named in her honor?
Primary Routes
3.
| Round-Trip Distance | 5.6 miles |
| Class | 2+ |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Hiking Time | 5–6 hours |
| Total Elevation Gain | 2,730’ |
| Terrain | Off-trail with steep grassy slopes with good footing. Easy scramble down Witter Peak. |
| Best Time to Climb | June–September |
Overview
You could not bag a single peak in this circuit and still leave satisfied. The reservoir’s mesmerizing, inky waters flow from a collection of small waterfalls and streams originating in the spacious alpine basin above. Snow tends to stick around all year, especially at the foot of the Parry–Eva saddle. This tour descends via Witter Peak’s east ridge and has quite a surprise at the conclusion: following a flood-damaged drainage back to the trailhead!
Mile/Route
0.0 From the parking area, head north along the south shore of the reservoir. A broad, brief dirt road devolves into a climber’s trail that makes a half circle to the west side of the reservoir. Morning sunlight often makes the water sparkle as if there were diamonds floating on the surface.
0.3 Leave the makeshift trail and follow even more makeshift trails up and west into the basin. You’ll see Eva’s imposing Class 3–4 ridge on your left; you won’t be going up it just yet. There are some steep but sturdy scrambles to gain the basin. Staying close to the waterfalls on the right offers scenic access. Eventually, the trails fizzle out at the eastern forest of the basin proper (a great potential place for pitching a tent).
Slater Lake (left) and Chinns Lake (right)
0.6 The grandiose basin will unfold before you. Go west young man, or woman, or possibly dog! Parry Peak will loom just off to your right and the Parry-Eva saddle will be in front of you. It looks mighty steep from here.
1.6 Eva’s east ridge saddle comes into view to the southwest. It’s a broad, steep grassy slope, but the footing is excellent (assuming there is no snow). If you’ve ever wondered what an 800-foot vertical wall of grass looks like … this is it. Chug along 0.4 mile from 12,000 feet to the saddle at 12,800 feet.
2.0 Phew! From the saddle, the west slopes to Eva’s summit present about 300 vertical feet of really fun, solid, Class 2+ scrambling to the top. Staying right makes it a little easier, while the center has a bit more challenge.
2.2 The summit of Eva—hard to believe it’s only 2.2 miles; it may feel longer. Just off the south of the summit are the ruins of an old communications tower that was fated to be removed in 2002. Apparently, it has some staying power. Time to head to Witter Peak, 1.6 miles away on gentle, easygoing slopes.
2.8 The Eva–Witter saddle. This is a possible return route, as shown on the map. There are a few willows to mash through, but navigation to Slater Lake/Chinns Lake is straightforward—just go down and east, staying to the left side of the basin. A trail emerges around Slater Lake just past a large,
