San Luis Peak - Colorado 14er Dayhike

San Luis Peak is Colorado's 51st highest peak and is most noted for being the most difficult of the 14'ers to get to. Situated about 2 hours from the nearest paved road you have to want to climb this one to make the effort to get there. The peak is a relatively simple Class 1 climb, beginning with a long nearly flat ascent past numerous Beaver Creeks. From here the trail begins to climb a bit steeper, but as far as 14'ers go this one is relatively easy and straightforward, on trails the whole way. The easiest route and most popular route is Class 1 from the Stewart Creek Trailhead. It is 12 mile roundtrip with an elevation gain of 3600 feet. From the trailhead to the treeline is an easy 4 mile hike all on trails. Around treeline the trail turns to the southwest to a saddle between San Luis and Organ Mountain. From the saddle climb west on a good trail to the summit ridge and follow the ridge another 1/2 mile to the summit.
The mountain's name, which first appeared on Hayden's 1877 Atlas of Colorado, is probably taken from the name of the valley that lies at its base. The valley was named by an early unknown Spanish explorer, the patron saint of whose village was San Luis.