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.
Alternate route · Southeast Ridge
Overview
The Southeast Ridge of Mount Columbia is a long Class 2 route that climbs the ridge from the Harvard Lakes trailhead near Buena Vista. It starts on the Colorado Trail, then turns onto a faint path up the forested ridge. Above treeline it crosses a string of points before joining the standard west slopes trail for the last half mile.
It suits fit hikers who want a quiet alternative to the standard route and don't mind a faint trail and some routefinding. It is longer and has more gain than the standard route, and the many ups and downs on the ridge add up. You are above treeline for a long time.
The route is about 11.25 miles round trip with roughly 4,800 feet of gain. Most people take 9 to 12 hours.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. The ridge is long and exposed, and you will spend many hours above treeline.
Turnaround
If you are not at Point 13,298 by about 10 a.m., or storms are building, turn back. There is no quick way off the upper ridge.
Crux
Length and routefinding. The path fades out near 11,460 feet, and the section between Point 12,042 and Point 13,298 has several drops and climbs.
Route-finding
Moderate. The turn off the Colorado Trail is easy to miss. The trail through the forest is faint but has small cairns. Above that, stay on the ridge and avoid shortcuts across the left side. On the way down, do not follow the west slopes trail by mistake.
In Buena Vista, about half a mile north of downtown, head west on County Road 350, also called Crossman Avenue. Reset your odometer. After 2 miles, make a right onto County Road 361. At the 3-mile mark, go left on County Road 365, which is dirt.
You pass the Harvard Lakes trailhead at about 6.5 miles. Another 0.1 mile up the road is the bigger Silver Creek trailhead, which has restrooms. Most cars can reach both in summer.
Trail in the treesRidgeTundraExposed 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
Harvard Lakes trailhead 9,400' · 0 mi
Walk a short way up the road and turn right onto the Colorado Trail. It climbs through the forest in switchbacks.
2
Turn off the Colorado Trail 9,950' · 0.6 mi
Just after the second switchback, look on the left for a faint path. It leaves near 9,950 feet, about 50 yards before the Colorado Trail bends right.
Watch for: This turn is easy to miss. Watch closely.
3
Forested ridge 10,700' · 1.3 mi
Follow the faint path up the lower southeast ridge. Small cairns help. It is steady, steep forest hiking, getting rockier as you climb.
4
Small overlook 11,460' · 2 mi
The path mostly ends at a small viewpoint on the ridge. Turn right and push through some trees past a rock outcrop.
5
Clearing above 11,600 feet 11,650' · 2.2 mi
Reach an open area. Cross it and climb toward the top of Point 12,042.
6
Point 12,042 12,042' · 2.6 mi
From the top, the long ridge lies ahead and a stand of dead trees sits off to your left. Drop left and stay with the ridge where it bends north-northwest.
Watch for: Treeline is behind you. Check the sky.
7
Point near 12,700 feet 12,700' · 3.3 mi
Climb to the next high point. Stay on the ridge. Do not try to shortcut across the left side. From here the ridge swings left.
8
Saddle 12,600' · 3.5 mi
Drop about 100 feet to a jumbled saddle. Climb to about 12,800 feet, keeping left of the ridge crest.
9
Point 13,298 13,298' · 4.2 mi
Climb the long slope to Point 13,298. Its top stays hidden until you are close. From here you can see the rest of the route and the head of Three Elk Basin.
Watch for: Good place to judge weather and time.
10
Point 13,544 13,544' · 4.7 mi
Cross the next point, where the ground gets easier. Walk on to a small high point shown on maps as 13,544.
11
Join the west slopes trail 13,600' · 5 mi
The ridge curves north. Shortly after, the standard west slopes trail joins from the left. Stay near the crest. The summit is about half a mile away.
Watch for: Remember this junction. Do not follow the west slopes trail down.
12
Flat section 13,800' · 5.4 mi
Walk north over a few more bumps. Near 13,800 feet the summit comes back into view past a flat stretch.
13
Summit of Mount Columbia 14,075' · 5.6 mi
Walk between two rock piles and on to the top.
Getting down
Return the way you came, down the southeast ridge. Near the top, the standard west slopes trail splits off to the west. Do not take it, as it ends at a different trailhead. Follow the ridge back over each point, then find the faint path at the small overlook near 11,460 feet and follow it down through the forest to the Colorado Trail.
If things go wrong
The ridge has no easy escape. The fastest way to lower ground is usually back the way you came. If lightning threatens, get off the high points and head down the ridge toward treeline as fast as you safely can. Do not drop into unknown basins to the sides. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal.
Other routes
Every way up Mount Columbia we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
