Mount Princeton (East Slopes)

Mount Princeton is the 14,197-foot Collegiate Peak that fills the view from Buena Vista, and its East Slopes route is shaped by a road: Mount Princeton Road climbs from a lower lot at 8,900 feet past the radio towers at 10,800 feet to a pull-off near 11,000 feet, and how far up it you can drive decides how long the day is. From the 4WD pull-off the climb is 6.5 miles round trip and 3,200 feet on a good trail and then a long, loose talus ridge; from the radio towers it is 7.2 miles and 3,400 feet, and from the lower lot 13.25 miles and 5,400 feet.

From the 4WD pull-off near 11,000 feet, follow the road on foot about a mile and 800 feet of gain to where the trail leaves it on the right at treeline, near 11,800 feet; it is easy to walk past the turn, so watch for the cairn, and from there the trail traverses west across the mountain's east basin, a long, gentle stretch on a good tread. The trail then climbs the slope to the ridge on switchbacks and turns to talus.

The upper mountain is a wide ridge of loose rock, Class 2, with the trail fading into cairns and the summit at 14,197 feet a long way along it. The false summit near the top fools people. The view runs over the Arkansas Valley to the Mosquito Range and south to Antero and Shavano. Return the same way; the talus is slow going down.

From the center of Buena Vista, take County Road 306 west 0.7 mile, turn left on County Road 321 and drive 6.8 miles south, then turn right on County Road 322 (Mount Princeton Road) at the large sign; from Nathrop, take County Road 162 west 4 miles, right on 321 for 1.2 miles, then left on 322. The Forest Service says passenger cars should stop at the lower lot near the Young Life camp, about 0.8 mile up the road at 8,900 feet; the road above is rocky and narrow with few pull-offs, and high-clearance vehicles climb about 3 miles to the radio towers lot at 10,800 feet, with 4WD continuing to a small pull-off near 11,000 feet. The road is closed by snow from November into June. Parking on the upper road is limited to the pullouts. No fee or permit.

Dogs are allowed; the talus is hard on them and the road walk is long. Not a kid hike. Carry three liters; there is no water on the route. Poles for the talus. The Mount Princeton Hot Springs at the bottom of the road is the recovery, and Buena Vista is 20 minutes. The Mount Princeton guide covers the route and the road in detail, and the Mount Princeton Hot Springs guide covers the soak.