You know a place is special when the locals tell you to show up before lunch or risk missing out. High Mountain Pies in Leadville has that irresistible mountain charm, the kind that makes a slice taste like a victory after hiking at altitude.
With a snug indoor space and a sunny backyard patio, it feels like a secret you want to keep but cannot. Get there early, because by the afternoon rush, the best pies might be gone.
Why The Slices Sell Out So Fast
High Mountain Pies sits in a tiny Leadville building where ovens hum, dough rises, and the line forms early. You can feel the buzz as locals swap hiking stories and visitors scan the board for crowd favorites.
It is simple: great pie, made right, at 10,000 feet with no shortcuts.
When the noon crowd hits, slices become treasure. The crust walks a fine line between crisp and tender, built to hold generous toppings without flop.
You blink and the Crocodile or Deluxe slices are gone, leaving latecomers to full pies or next time.
Plan smart. Order ahead or arrive before 11:30.
Grab a seat on the patio, sip something cold, and watch trays empty with every shout of an order name.
The Crocodile Pie Legend
Locals love to nudge newcomers and say get the Crocodile. It is playful, unexpected, and somehow perfectly balanced.
That crisp crust carries bold toppings that stay put when you raise the slice, so every bite delivers flavor and crunch.
You taste heat, a little sweetness, and savory depth riding on bubbly cheese and a blistered edge. Reviewers rave about the combo, calling it the one to beat in Leadville.
You might plan to share, then quietly guard your last piece.
If you want a guaranteed slice, arrive early or order a whole pie. The Crocodile tends to vanish before the afternoon rush.
Pair it with wings or a salad, then settle onto the patio and congratulate yourself.
San Luis Pie With Green Chili
When someone says San Luis, you know green chili is invited to the party. The pie layers pork, avocado, cilantro, and that unmistakable Colorado green chili character.
It hits savory, creamy, herby, and lightly spicy in one confident bite.
Reviews praise the seasoning and how the crust stays supportive without turning heavy. You can fold a slice or let it stand strong, either way the toppings hold together.
It is not New York style, and that is the point.
Order it medium if you plan to share, large if you want leftovers for the trail. The patio makes it taste even better, especially after a ski morning.
Add ranch on the side if that is your thing, then watch it disappear.
Backyard Patio Vibes
The backyard patio at High Mountain Pies feels like a friend’s alpine cookout. Tables dot the gravel, some shaded, some sunny, with dogs napping and kids giggling.
You grab water, find a spot, and suddenly lunch becomes a mountain picnic.
When the line snakes out front, the backyard absorbs the crowd with ease. The staff drops pies at the right tables like clockwork.
If you are rolling deep with six or more, this is your best bet.
On warm days, you will linger long after the last bite, trading trail tips and eyeing another slice. On crisp evenings, heaters take the edge off.
It is relaxed, unfussy, and exactly where your pie wants to be eaten.
Crust That Earns The Hype
Everyone talks crust here for a reason. The outside is crackly and browned, the inside tender with just enough chew.
Pick up a slice and it holds its shape, yet still bends kindly when you want that classic fold.
It is the undercarriage folks rave about: evenly baked, light char, no soggy surprises. The balance means toppings can go big without wrecking structure.
You taste wheat, heat, and time working together.
If you chase perfect texture, get a cheese pie first to benchmark the basics. Then explore the wild combos knowing the base delivers.
This is crust you will drive a half hour for, and then some.
Wings, Cheese Bread, And Dips
Do not sleep on the starters. Double baked wings land glossy and sticky, with spicy bbq or buffalo closing the deal.
Cheese bread arrives molten with that pull apart factor you cannot fake.
Dips matter here, and people notice. Ask the counter for their recommendation and get extra for the table.
Ranch fans say it is some of the best around, perfect for crust dunking or wing cleanup.
Pair a basket with a pie and you have a mountain feast. If you are waiting on your order, snacks smooth the time and keep the hangries away.
It is the kind of side game that turns a good lunch into a great one.
Gluten Free And Dairy Free Wins
High Mountain Pies makes it easy for friends with dietary needs to join the party. The gluten free crust does not feel like a compromise, holding toppings with a pleasant crunch.
Cashew cheese brings creamy richness for dairy free orders without weighing everything down.
Staff understands substitutions and keeps things friendly, fast, and clear. You will see happy reviews from folks who usually skip pizza night.
It is nice to be included without the fine print.
Call ahead if you have questions and they will talk you through options. Grab a salad on the side and enjoy the same backyard vibe as everyone else.
Good pizza belongs to everyone, and this shop shows it.
Best Orders For First Timers
Walking in for the first time can feel overwhelming in the best way. Start with the Deluxe if you want a crowd pleaser that shows off the crust and sauce.
Add the Crocodile or San Luis if you are adventurous.
Round things out with cheese bread and a dip, maybe wings if you brought a friend. If indoor seats are full, claim the patio and people watch.
You will understand the hype by your third bite.
Short on time. Call ahead for pickup and avoid the line.
Slices go quick, so a whole pie is your safest bet when the noon crowd arrives hungry.
Timing Your Visit Like A Local
High Mountain Pies opens at 11 AM, and early birds win lunch. On weekends especially, lines swell fast and indoor seats vanish.
The patio is your friend and takeout is a smart backup.
Order by phone if you are on a tight schedule or heading back from a hike. Cash is handy just in case the credit machine takes a mountain nap.
Plan for 15 minutes when it is mellow and longer when the rush hits.
Park, breathe that thin air, and enjoy the anticipation. The line moves quickly and the staff keeps things upbeat.
By the time your name is called, you will be grinning.
Why It Belongs On Your Colorado List
Leadville is already magic with its mining history, altitude bragging rights, and endless trails. High Mountain Pies gives you a delicious reason to linger.
Great service, fair prices, and pies that punch way above their square footage.
Whether you are passing through after skiing or road tripping in summer, this stop adds joy to the itinerary. You will remember the backyard glow, the crisp crust, and the playful menu.
It is the little shop that overdelivers.
Bookmark the address on 4th Street, check the 11 AM opening, and set expectations high. You might even plan your day around that first slice.
Many of us already do, and for good reason.