Angel Knob

Date: 07/29/2025
Partner: Solo
Trailhead: Oak Creek TH Ouray
Distance: 10.7m
Elevation Gain: 5360ft
Duration: 6hrs 50min
GPX

I initially wanted to include Angel Knob in my Corbett>Whitehouse>Ridgway Route route, however it wasn't in the cards that day.

Instead I climbed Angel Knob as a single banger via the Oak Creek Trail above Ouray.

The trail is well maintained and good for making quick miles. Once I left the trail the terrain to the upper basin between Whitehouse and Angel Knob was undulating, navigational and crossed many gullies.

The upper basin was well worth the effort with waterfalls, wildflowers and incredible views.

The final climb to Angel Knob's summit was a bit tedious and took some patience and poking around to find the best route.

The summit was well worth it with amazing views of Potosi, Teakettle, Whitehouse, Corbett and peaks to the east and south.

10.7m - 5360ft - 6hrs 50min
Start at the Oak Creek Trailhead and take the Oak Creek Trail
A little hole in the wall on the way
I left the trail and started up and across this field
Angel Knob (left) - I worked my way to the upper basin between Corbett, Whitehouse and Angel Knob
Down this little ridge and then up the steep hill with the dead fall across the way.
The terrain into the upper basin was navigational, undulating and crossed many gullies
I worked my way up the terrain on looker's right of the waterfall
I eventually crossed the stream and made my way on the climber's right side of the drainage. The wildflowers were sooo nice
The south face of Whitehouse
A tower on Whitehouse's east ridge that shares a saddle with Angel Knob
Stellar views of Potosi to the south as I started to climb Angel Knob's western aspects
Obviously loose but if you stay on the far climber's left side of the gully it is tollerable
I climbed high in the gully thinking I would ascend the wall to the summit. However it was dangerously loose. After a little poking around, found a reasonable route
Once around the corner it was easy cruising to the summit
Southerly views to King and Three Queens sandwiched by Hayden North and South
Teakettle and Coffeepot to the west
Whitehouse sure is a chonker!
Corbet(L) and Son of Corbet (R)
Pretty excited to have this rad summit all to myself!
Doesn't look like this one gets climbed a whole lot
Pano: L2R: Potosi, Coffeepot, Teakettle, Whitehouse
I took this somewhat surfable scree field back down to the grassy basin. It wasn't perfect but better than my ascent route
A snack in the wildflowers. The upper basin is pretty pretty pretty cool
More southern views towards the Haydens
Eastern views over Ouray to Cow, Darley and Friends
Eastern Pano over Ouray to Cow, Darly and Friends. Getting moody
Twin Peaks - A fun outing in its own right!
Cow towers over Ouray
A good spot to soak it all in before heading back to town for an ice cream cone!

Blaine Peak