Sunshine Peak, with an elevation of 14,001 feet, is the 53rd highest peak and the lowest Fourteener in the state of Colorado. Redcloud
Peak and Sunshine, being separated by only a mile and a 534-foot ascent/descent, are often climbed together.
The Mill Creek trailhead provides the best road access to Handies, Redcloud, and Sunshine Peaks (you can continue on past Mill Creek to
the Grizzly and Silver Creek trailhead, but that drive involves miles of "hairy" driving and possible snow closure). To reach the Mill
Creek trailhead, drive south from Lake City along CO 149. Shortly out of town, take a right onto the Lake Fork/Cinnamon Pass Road, and
drive 11 miles to the Mill Creek Campground trailhead.
After parking at the Mill Creek Campground, cross the road and hike up steep terrain through the brush. Follow Sunshine's east ridge all
the way to the summit, then, if you wish to bag Redcloud Peak as well, follow the Class 2 saddle between the two peaks. Note that
reaching Sunshine via this route is a "rough and tedious" eight hour round-trip, and an extension to Redcloud and back will add two hours
for a total 10 hours of hiking and climbing. Be aware of cliffs along both sides of the ridge.
Sources: peakware.com, summitpost.org, Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, Volume 2: The Southern Peaks
