Elevation
14,197′
Difficulty
Class 2
Distance
6.5 mi
Elev. gain
5,400′
Nearest town
Buena Vista
County
Chaffee
Range
Sawatch
Rank
#20
Mount Princeton dominates the skyline above Buena Vista and is one of the steepest 14er climbs in the Sawatch. The standard route gains 5,400 feet in just 6.5 miles round trip.
Standard Route
From the upper trailhead on Mount Princeton Road (4WD recommended), the trail climbs steeply up the east ridge to the summit. The route is mostly class 2 with sustained steep terrain.
What to Expect
There's no easy way up Princeton — it's relentlessly steep. Bring trekking poles for the descent. The view from the summit takes in the entire Arkansas Valley and across to the Sangre de Cristos.
Related Reading
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