UN 12585, UN 12598, & McQuaid Butte (9,954) by Brian Schultz Tuesday August 26, 2025

UN 12585:
Roundtrip mileage: 2.0 miles
Elevation gain: 460'
Start to finish: 1 hour 10 minutes

Although I've climbed this peak before, I returned to claim the LiDAR highpoint, which is north of the prior marked summit. I drove up to Cottonwood Pass from Buena Vista and began at 7:35 AM by crossing the road and following the trail toward the peak. The weather was sunny and expected to hold all morning but rains were likely in the afternoon. The trail is excellent and parallels below the peak, making for a short and easy hike to the summit when departing the trail. I didn't stay long on the summit (photo 1, photo 2).

On my return, I stopped to say hi to a guy who was only hiking the trail for a short ways, primarily to see the views. I was back at Cottonwood Pass at 8:45. This is a very easy climb for a 12K peak.

UN 12598:
Roundtrip mileage: 1.5 miles
Elevation gain: 470'
Start to finish: 1 hour

I crossed to the other side of Cottonwood Pass and headed up the trail at 8:50 AM. This would be my third time doing this peak, another easy peak with an excellent trail to the top. I had no particular reason to do it but it was close and wouldn't take long to complete it. I was up and down in 1 hour. No others were on the trail and I was back to my truck at 9:50.

McQuaid Butte:
Roundtrip mileage: 4.35 miles
Elevation gain: 1,150'
Start to finish: 2 hours 45 minutes

This peak has been on my to do list for years. Today it worked to my advantage to go for it despite the weather forecast. I drove back down Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista and up Highway 24 to Highway 285. A left turn on Salt Creek road leads to various starting points but with recent rains, the road had lots of big puddles, some deep. I drove past the often used starting point because there were campers and trailers parked there and continued on the road to a parking area off the road just past the McQuaid Trail (photo 1, photo 2), about a quarter mile.

I began at 11:55 AM, somewhat late considering the forecast but skies above were clear. The trail is excellent. It would add extra mileage but who doesn't like a trail? Thunder rumbled briefly in the distance as I hiked along the trail. I departed the trail too early and had an unpleasant bushwhack for a short distance but open areas then made for easy hiking, and the ascent to the summit was through mostly open areas as well. I arrived on top at 1:15, signed the register, and left after 10 minutes.

Dark clouds were now filling the sky. Instead of bushwhacking again through the thick deadfall, I opted to gain more elevation to connect with the trail higher up. This worked out well as thunder was rumbling even closer to me. I made it back to my truck at 2:40 just as it started raining. Good timing for me as storm clouds hovered over the peak on my drive out.