Trinity Peak is the high middle summit of the three Trinities, a jagged crest of quartzite and slate that closes off the head of Vestal Creek in the Grenadier Range of the Weminuche Wilderness. Climbers often call it Middle Trinity, and it anchors one of the classic scrambles of the San Juans, the traverse linking all three summits.
The approach matches Arrow Peak and Vestal Peak: from the Molas Pass/Elk Park trailhead, follow the Colorado Trail through flower meadows down to the Animas River, up Elk Creek past beaver ponds, and onto the unmaintained Vestal Creek trail to camps between about 11,300 and 11,760 feet. The usual line reaches Trinity by its west ridge from West Trinity, about half a mile and 450 feet of Class 4 scrambling. Expect a round trip of about 22.75 miles and 7,150 feet from the trailhead, or 4.75 miles and 4,250 feet for the three peaks from high camp.
The crux of the traverse follows exposed ledges south of the crest and a pair of Class 4 chimneys in close succession, with loose holds that demand care. The gully between Trinity and East Trinity funnels rockfall onto the route, so helmets and spacing matter; most parties continue over East Trinity and descend its northeast ridge. Carry an axe while snow lingers. From the ridge, Sunlight, Eolus, Jagged, Pigeon and Turret crowd the southern skyline.
