Fairview Peak (13,214) & Terrible Mountain (12,100) by Brian Schultz  Wednesday July 25, 2018

Roundtrip mileage: 4.9 miles from Terrible Mountain road (elev 11,700')
Elevation gain: 1675'
Start to finish: 3 hours 35 minutes
Participants: Tim Briese, Brian Schultz

Here are the two wheel drive directions to the trailhead: from US 50 (east of Gunnison) at the townsite of Parlin, take CR 76 northeast and drive past the town of Ohio. Before reaching the town of Pitkin, look for a sign on the left side of the road that says "Quartz Creek Properties" and turn left here. Follow Chicago Park road which eventually becomes Grasshopper Road. Stay on Grasshopper Road as it turns into Highline Road and follow it to Terrible Mountain Road. Terrible Mountain Road's 2 wheel drive road ends near a private residence and becomes 4 wheel drive, marked with a sign. It's where we parked.

We attempted to drive up the 4x4 road initially but there was a gnarly slab section that had us backing up and starting from the two wheel drive parking area. At 7:40 AM we began hiking up the road and followed it to its end below Fairview's slopes. A giant cairn marks two routes to the top. We took the trail straight ahead which zigzagged up through the talus slope and on the return took the other mostly dirt and grass route. Both routes are good.

A building on the summit can be seen long before reaching the top. We arrived on top at 9:15 and explored the structure, which is being restored. We took a leisurely 40 minute break under sunny skies before departing at 9:55.

On our descent we passed by 3 climbers who'd driven up to the end of the 4x4 road on an ATV. We hiked up unranked Terrible Mountain on the way back, which wasn't terrible at all with its easy grassy slopes and only 120' of elevation gain from the road.

We got back to the truck at 11:20 and chatted with a fellow on a motorcycle who owns a residence in the area below. Tim and I parted company after returning to my parked truck down by the Quartz Creek sign. He headed into Pitkin to check out the town before heading home, while I drove to Fairplay for an overnight. Very fun and easy peak today.