Mount Harvard

Overview

Mount Harvard is the tallest peak in the Collegiate range and the third highest in Colorado. The standard route is a long walk more than a hard climb. A good trail follows North Cottonwood Creek through the trees, then swings north into the wide, open bowl of Horn Fork Basin. From there you climb a talus shoulder and a steep slope to reach the south ridge, then scramble a short, rocky final pitch to the top.

The route suits fit hikers who have done a few Class 2 peaks and are ready for a big day. Most of the distance is easy trail, but the upper mountain is all rock and the last few hundred feet take care and some hand use. Plan on 9 to 12 hours round trip. Once you leave the trees near 11,500 feet you are in the open for hours, with a long way back to shelter.

The main dangers are afternoon lightning on the ridge, loose rock near the summit, and simple fatigue on the way down. Many people camp in the basin to split the day or to add Mount Columbia, which rises on the east side of the valley.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

From the center of Buena Vista, go about half a mile north on US 24 and turn west on Crossman Avenue, which is County Road 350. After 2 miles, turn right onto County Road 361. About a mile later, turn left onto County Road 365, a dirt road. Follow it a little over 5 miles to where it ends at the trailhead, about 8 miles from the highway.

The dirt road is fine for most cars when dry, though it gets rougher and bumpier near the end. The lot is a loop at the end of the road and fills on summer weekends, so arrive early. The trail leaves from the west side of the loop. The route enters the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, so wilderness rules on group size, camping and dogs apply.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   North Cottonwood trailhead 9,900' · 0 mi

   Look for the trail at the west side of the loop where you parked. It dips a short distance to a bridge across North Cottonwood Creek, then climbs west up the valley on a broad, smooth path through pine and aspen.

2. 2

   Second bridge 10,350' · 1.4 mi

   After a steady climb along the creek, cross a second footbridge. The trail stays in thick forest with the creek on one side.

3. 3

   Kroenke Lake junction 10,400' · 1.5 mi

   Just past the bridge the trail splits. Go right toward Horn Fork Basin and Bear Lake. The left branch goes to Kroenke Lake and is a common wrong turn.

   Watch for: Go right here, not left to Kroenke Lake.

4. 4

   Mount Columbia junction 11,150' · 3.3 mi

   Keep climbing through the forest for nearly 2 miles. A side trail branches right toward Mount Columbia. Stay left on the main trail into the basin.

5. 5

   Tree line 11,500' · 3.6 mi

   The trees thin out and Harvard comes into view at the far end of the valley, a big gray peak with a long south ridge. There are many flat camping spots in this area.

   

6. 6

   Horn Fork Basin 11,800' · 4.2 mi

   The trail turns north and runs up the middle of the open basin. It winds through willows and crosses a small stream. Columbia is the broad peak on your right.

   Watch for: Last easy water is in this stretch.

7. 7

   Trail steepens 12,100' · 4.6 mi

   Near the north end of the basin the grade picks up. The trail climbs grassy slopes on the right side of the valley.

8. 8

   Bear Lake junction 12,350' · 4.9 mi

   A side path goes left toward Bear Lake, tucked under Harvard's south face. Stay right on the main trail.

   Watch for: Stay right; the Bear Lake trail does not go to the summit.

   

9. 9

   Flat bench 12,500' · 5.1 mi

   The trail levels out on a small flat area. Ahead is a steep slope of large talus that leads up to a shoulder.

10. 10

    Talus shoulder 13,000' · 5.5 mi

    Climb the talus on a built trail with rock steps. It is slow, tiring work. At the top of the shoulder the rest of the route comes into view: a small upper basin and the slope up to the south ridge.

    Watch for: Stay on the built trail to avoid loose rock.

11. 11

    Upper basin and switchbacks 13,600' · 6.1 mi

    Cross the upper basin and climb the slope below the south ridge. Follow cairns and a fairly clear trail as it switchbacks up through rock.

    Watch for: Do not cut switchbacks; the slope is loose.

12. 12

    South ridge 14,050' · 6.6 mi

    Reach the crest of the ridge and turn right (north). Hike along the right (east) side of the ridge toward the summit block, over broken rock with some trail.

    Watch for: Exposed to wind and lightning from here on.

13. 13

    Summit pitch 14,300' · 6.8 mi

    The last stretch is a short, steep pile of large blocks. The rock is mostly solid. Look for the easiest line and use your hands; it stays Class 2 if you choose well.

    Watch for: Easy to drift onto harder, looser rock. Take your time.

14. 14

    Summit 14,424' · 6.9 mi

    A small, rocky top. You can see Columbia to the southeast, Mount Yale further south, and Mount Belford and Oxford to the north.

Turns and junctions

Every place another trail or road splits off, drawn like a road sign. The orange arrow is your way. Each one also tells you what to do on the way down, where most wrong turns happen. Drawn from open map data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Mileage is approximate, and signs on the ground may use different names.

Landmarks to know

• Bridge over North Cottonwood Creek right after leaving the lot.
• Second bridge and the Kroenke Lake junction at 1.5 miles: go right.
• Columbia side trail branching right: stay left.
• Tree line near 11,500 feet with Harvard in view at the head of the valley.
• Bear Lake junction above 12,000 feet: stay right.
• Built trail with rock steps up the talus to the 13,000-foot shoulder.
• Cairned switchbacks to the south ridge, then north along the ridge to the summit blocks.

Getting down

Go back the way you came. The top of the summit pitch is where people most often slip or choose a worse line on the way down, so face in where it is steep and test holds. On the ridge, watch for the spot where the trail leaves the crest and switchbacks down to the left (east); it is easy to keep walking along the ridge past it.

Stay on the built trail through the talus below the shoulder. Once in the basin, the trail is easy to follow, but after a long day it is the tired miles back through the forest that wear people down. At the Kroenke Lake junction near the bottom, go left to return to the trailhead.

If things go wrong

There is no quick way off the upper mountain. If weather turns, go down the way you came as fast as is safe; the south ridge and summit pitch are the most exposed places. Once below the 13,000-foot shoulder you are off the ridge, and trees start again near 11,500 feet. If someone is hurt, get them off the talus and out of the wind, add layers, and send for help. Cell coverage is poor in the valley, so move to a high open spot or send someone back toward the trailhead; call 911 when you get a signal.

3D flyover

Press play to fly the South Slopes. The graph shows elevation along the way and how much you gain each mile. Open full screen.

See the trail on video

A climb of this route filmed by The Virtual sherpa. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play. This video covers Mount Harvard and Mount Columbia together.

Other routes

All 3 routes up Mount Harvard, with the class and round-trip distance for each.