14er Mount Columbia

Mount Columbia stands at 14,075 ft, ranking as Colorado's 34th highest summit. Peak bagging season is likely starting early this year. I'm not necessarily hoping for the snow to disappear so I can start my summer sooner. More like, I'm expecting it to be gone by Memorial Day, so may as well plan accordingly. If the Collegiates do get buried between now and then, this event will get rescheduled. But for now, Memorial Day is the day. Do you need it still and want to bag this one with me? Cmon, you weren't going to run the Boulder-Boulder anyway were you? ;-)

The route I'd like to do is up the southeast ridge and down the standard western slope, finishing with a little dirt road walk down North Cottonwood. We'd start at the Harvard Lakes Trailhead where CT#12 and CT#13 meet. After about a mile heading north on #12, we leave the trail and head directly up the ridge and follow it the whole way. There's a little bit of a social trail through the trees, then we pop out and have tundra and eventually rockiness en route to the summit. The western descent is steeper but more established. We'll pass the North Cottonwood Trailhead and follow the road back to the cars.

Details can be worked as we get closer to the date. Sleep near the TH the night before. Leave Denver at like 4:30 in the morning. Carpool. Meet there. TBD.

Official alternate route up the southeast ridge
[Mount Columbia - Southeast Ridge Route Description | 14ers.com](https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=colu5)

Preferred official descent down the west slopes
[Mount Columbia - West Slopes Route Description | 14ers.com](https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=colu2)

Our route
Explore Custom route — Mount Columbia: Southeast Ridge | AllTrails

Because this is a 14er with a lot of vertical (4,800 and 14 miles), I need to make sure everyone who comes on the hike is able. So put your name on the waitlist and let's chat about where you're at. Thanks, and looking forward to it.