Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Standard route · East Slopes
Overview
Mount Princeton is the big pyramid that rises over Buena Vista and the Arkansas Valley. The East Slopes route follows a steep 4WD road, then a trail that crosses the north side of a sub-peak called Tigger Peak, then climbs the ridge to the summit. It is Class 2 the whole way.
From parking near 11,000 feet on the upper road, the climb is about 6.5 miles round trip with 3,200 feet of gain. If you park at the lower 2WD lot, the day grows to about 13.25 miles and 5,400 feet. The upper half of the route is almost all rock: first a long traverse across talus gullies, then a steep ridge of boulders and scree. There is very little smooth trail above 12,800 feet.
From the upper road, most people take 5 to 7 hours; from the bottom, plan on 9 to 11. It suits hikers who are comfortable on loose rock for several hours. The main risks are lightning on the open ridge, rolled ankles and falls on the talus, and wandering off the trail near the rock wall at 12,800 feet.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. from the upper road, or by 3:30 or 4 a.m. from the 2WD lot. You are above treeline for most of the day, and storms often build over the Sawatch by late morning.
Turnaround
If you have not reached the Tigger-Princeton ridge at 13,100 feet by 10:30 a.m., or clouds are building, turn around. The ridge above is steep, slow, and fully exposed.
Crux
The steep section of the southeast ridge between 13,600 and 14,000 feet: loose rock and boulders with no easy trail. Before that, the long talus traverse across the gullies on Tigger's north side wears people out.
Route-finding
Moderate. The trail leaves the road on the right near 11,800 feet, and it is easy to miss. At the small rock wall near 12,800 feet, turn sharply left toward the ridge. People who go straight here end up on bad terrain.
Water
None on the route in most summers. Snow in the gullies can melt into trickles early in the season, but do not count on it. Carry at least 3 liters, more from the 2WD lot.
From Buena Vista, go west from the center of town on County Road 306 for 0.7 mile. Turn left on County Road 321 and drive south 6.8 miles, then turn right on County Road 322 at a large sign. From the south, turn west on County Road 162 in Nathrop, drive a little over 4 miles to a junction, turn right on 321, go 1.2 miles, and turn left on 322.
After 0.8 mile on 322, the big 2WD trailhead lot appears on the right at 8,900 feet. Past here the road is narrow, steep 4WD with few places to pass. A short, high-clearance 4WD can reach the radio towers at 10,800 feet, 3.2 miles up, where a few cars can park. For slightly higher parking, turn left on County Road 322A; in 0.2 mile there are small pull-offs at 11,000 feet with room for 5 or 6 cars. There is no parking above this. On busy weekends, consider parking at the bottom and walking the road.
RoadTundraTalus and screeRidgeScramblingExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Upper road parking 11,000' · 0 mi
Start from the small pull-offs near 11,000 feet and walk up the road. If you parked lower, follow the road up to this point. The road is rough and rocky and climbs steadily.
2
Road switchbacks on Tigger 11,200' · 0.3 mi
Above 11,200 feet the road climbs the east side of Tigger Peak, an unranked point at about 13,300 feet, with a couple of long switchbacks. Trees thin out as you go up.
3
Road swings left 11,700' · 0.8 mi
Near 11,700 feet the road moves to the left side of the ridge. Tigger Peak's rounded top is in view above.
4
Princeton trail leaves the road 11,800' · 1 mi
Near 11,800 feet, just before the road turns left, look for the Princeton trail on the right. Leave the road here and take the trail.
Watch for: This turn is easy to miss. If the road turns hard left and you are still on it, you went too far.
5
North side of Tigger 11,900' · 1.2 mi
At about 11,900 feet the trail crosses to the north side of Tigger. Much of the rest of the route opens up: the long traverse west and Princeton's summit ridge above.
6
Gully traverse 12,100' · 1.6 mi
Head west over rocky ground, crossing a series of gullies. The trail is built through the talus and is mostly stable, but rocks shift and parts of the path can be hard to see.
Watch for: Gullies may hold snow in spring and early summer. A slip on hard snow here is dangerous.
7
Princeton's east slopes 12,500' · 2 mi
After the last gullies, the ground gets easier as you reach Princeton's east slopes. Keep following the trail uphill.
8
Small rock wall 12,800' · 2.2 mi
Near 12,800 feet you reach a small rock wall that was built to stop hikers from heading into rough terrain. Turn sharply left here and follow the trail up toward the ridge.
Watch for: Do not continue straight past the wall.
9
Tigger-Princeton ridge 13,100' · 2.5 mi
Reach the ridge that connects Tigger to Princeton at about 13,100 feet. Turn right and follow the ridge northwest toward the summit.
Watch for: Check the weather. The rest of the route is on an open ridge.
10
Flat spot on the ridge 13,300' · 2.65 mi
Around 13,300 feet you reach a short flat area. This is a good place to rest before the steep part. From here you climb the southeast ridge.
11
Steep southeast ridge 13,600' · 2.85 mi
Between 13,600 and 14,000 feet the ridge is steep boulders and scree. It is still Class 2, but slow. Pick stable rocks and use your hands for balance.
Watch for: Loose rock. Do not climb directly below other people.
12
Final pitch in view 14,000' · 3.1 mi
Near 14,000 feet the grade eases a little and you can see the final slope to the top. Stay close to the ridge crest.
13
Summit 14,200' · 3.25 mi
Follow the crest to the rocky summit. Views take in the Arkansas Valley and Buena Vista far below, and the Collegiate Peaks to the north and south.
Landmarks to know
Radio towers at 10,800 feet on the 4WD road
Road switchbacks on the east side of Tigger Peak
The Princeton trail leaving the road on the right near 11,800 feet
A series of talus gullies on Tigger's north side
A small, built rock wall near 12,800 feet (turn sharp left)
The Tigger-Princeton connecting ridge at 13,100 feet (turn right)
A small flat area at 13,300 feet before the steep ridge
Getting down
Go back the way you came. On the ridge, look for the point near 13,100 feet where the trail leaves the crest and drops left (east) toward the rock wall. Hikers who stay on the ridge too long, or who try to shortcut straight down the east slopes, end up in steep, loose gullies and cliffs. Follow the trail to the rock wall, turn right, and cross the gullies back to Tigger's north side.
The steep boulders between 14,000 and 13,600 feet are harder going down than up, so take your time. The gully traverse is also tiring on the way back, and it is easy to lose the path where rocks have slid. Once back on the road, it is a long, steep walk, hard on the knees, especially if you parked at the bottom.
If things go wrong
Below the ridge, the quickest way to safety is back along the trail to the road, then down the road into the trees. Do not try to drop straight down any gully off the east slopes; they end in cliffs and loose rock. If lightning starts on the ridge, get off the crest and head back toward the rock wall and the traverse as fast as you can move safely. The road below 11,800 feet can sometimes be reached by 4WD vehicles, which can help with an injured hiker. If someone is hurt, keep them warm and still, and call 911 if you have a signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the East Slopes. The graph shows elevation along the way and how much you gain each mile. Open full screen.
For planning only. The line is traced from open map data, not walked in the field, and off-trail parts are drawn straight. Load it in your GPS app to see the route, but navigate with your eyes, a map and the route description.
See the trail on video
A climb of this route filmed by Centennial Treks. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play.
Jump to
Other routes
All 1 route up Mount Princeton, with the class and round-trip distance for each.
Expect talus, scree and stretches where the trail disappears. Ankles and weather cause most of the trouble here. Start early, keep an eye on the sky, and set a turnaround time before you leave the car.
