Teocalli Mountain (13,208) by Brian Schultz Tuesday July 23, 2019

Roundtrip mileage: 6.9 miles from West Brush Creek trailhead (elev ~10,100')
Elevation gain: 3,185'
Start to finish: 6 hours 5 minutes
Participants: Tim Briese, Brian Schultz

We left Gunnison around 5:10 AM to get an early start because of the 70% chance of storms/showers in the forecast. We headed to Crested Butte on Hwy 135 and just before reaching town turned right on Brush Creek road. We drove the mellow road to the parking/camp area at West Brush Creek, which is also the end of 2 wheel drive road, and barreled across the creek, water splashing over the hood. The 4x4 road traveled a bit slower but it's a good road to the trailhead, which is now at a lower elevation than what older trip reports noted. From Highway 135, it's 9.2 miles to the 4x4 trailhead.

The morning skies were clear when we began at 6:40 AM and much to our surprise stayed that way the entire day. The trail is excellent and there were no snow issues despite lingering late season snow patches. Ice axes were strapped to our packs but never needed.

Wildflowers (photo 1, photo 2) were plentiful and in full splendor, and Teocalli beckoned as we followed the trail to Teocalli Ridge. Mountain bikers, also using the trail, turn right at the trail junction on the ridge to bike down the ridge while climbers turn left to climb the peak. We continued on the well defined trail through the trees and up grassy slopes to the summit area before it faded out. We made our way up to the left side of the cliffs and traversed around the cliffs to reach the summit ridge.

Just below the summit a 40' snow patch blocked the path between us and the top. Though steep it was not a problem ascending and we stepped on top at 10:00. The views from the summit were excellent, even more so with the clear skies, and we stayed for 25 minutes. In the well secured ammo box/register, chained to prevent it being stolen, were lots of items ranging from a cow bell, condom, tampon, small bags of nuts and candy, and an assortment of many other small things. The items reminded me of what was in Berrian Mountain's summit register four years ago, perhaps left by the same climber.

We departed at 10:25. The descent to the trail junction on Teocalli Ridge went quickly and we passed several climbers on their way up to the peak. We began seeing the first of many mountain bikers also when we reached the trail junction. On the grassy slopes below the trail junction we stopped often to take pictures of the flowers and were passed by at least three dozen bikers of all ages before we got back to the trailhead. We pulled in at 12:45. This was an outstanding day on the peak and we stopped to take even more pictures from the road on the drive out.