The standard route up the highest peak in the San Juan Mountains, a broad and scenic Class 2 climb from a 4WD trailhead.
From Lake City, take County Road 20 (Henson Creek Road / Alpine Loop Scenic Byway) west for about 5 miles — a decent dirt road passable to most 2WD vehicles — then turn right onto Nellie Creek Road (Trail #877). This final 4-mile stretch is a rough, narrow 4WD track with two stream crossings and strictly requires high-clearance 4WD; standard passenger vehicles should park near the Henson Creek junction and walk the additional distance. From the Nellie Creek trailhead at roughly 11,400–11,500 feet, a well-defined trail climbs into a broad alpine basin, then ascends toward Uncompahgre's south shoulder. The route's crux is a short section of steeper, looser rock on the west face below the southeast ridge, where the trail angles up and right toward a large rock tower; climbers can pass just past the tower or take a slightly steeper option just before it. Once back on the ridge, the terrain moderates into a straightforward walk to the broad, flat summit.
Reverse the route. The crux section is more awkward descending than ascending — take care on the loose rock.