East Slopes

Overview

This route climbs Mount Lincoln from the east, starting at the Quartzville site above Alma. It follows old mining roads up Lincoln's east shoulder almost to the summit cone, then finishes on the northeast ridge. It is Class 2, mostly easy road walking with a short rocky finish.

It suits hikers who want a short, direct way up Lincoln away from the crowded Kite Lake loop. The round trip is about 6.5 miles with roughly 2,650 feet of gain. You start high, so you are above treeline most of the day. There are many side roads and old prospects, so pay attention to stay on the main road.

Most people take 4 to 6 hours car to car. The last half mile of road to the trailhead needs 4WD, and much of the land along the way is private.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

From Fairplay, take Colorado 9 north to Alma. Continue about half a mile past town and turn left onto Park County Road 6. The trailhead is about 4.5 miles from this turn. Go left on Quartzville road at 1.4 miles. The intersection near 2.2 miles is confusing; take the sharp left there. Keep right at 3.5 miles, where Zinc Road splits off. At 4.0 miles there is another intersection with Mount Lincoln straight ahead. Keep right and follow the road around a bend.

Roughly 4.1 miles in, go left on a forest road that is now named Crest Drive. Signs here mark private property. People used to park at this spot, but the landowners have closed it, so do not park there. The Quartzville site is on your right after roughly half a mile more on the 4WD road. If your vehicle cannot handle that last stretch, find a legal place to park and walk.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Quartzville trailhead 11,650' · 0 mi

   From the Quartzville site, hike west on road 437.

   Watch for: Private land nearby. Stay on the road.

2. 2

   Road toward Cameron Amphitheatre 12,300' · 0.9 mi

   Follow the road west toward the big bowl called the Cameron Amphitheatre. The whole route is in view on a clear day.

3. 3

   Bend before the amphitheatre 13,000' · 1.75 mi

   Near 13,000 feet and about 1.75 miles from the start, the road bends right before it reaches the amphitheatre. Stay on it and climb northeast toward the top of Lincoln's east shoulder.

   Watch for: Do not go into the amphitheatre.

4. 4

   East shoulder 13,200' · 2.1 mi

   Above 13,200 feet, turn left and follow the road up the shoulder toward the summit.

5. 5

   Main road on the shoulder 13,500' · 2.5 mi

   You pass many mining roads and prospect pits. Along the shoulder, stay on the main road.

   Watch for: Stay out of old mine openings.

6. 6

   Russia Mine 13,800' · 2.85 mi

   Near 13,800 feet you reach the Russia Mine area. The summit cone is right in front of you.

   Watch for: Check the weather here before the final climb.

7. 7

   Traverse below the cone 13,950' · 3.05 mi

   If the cone is covered in snow, you can climb straight up it. If it is dry, turn right and cross north below the cone to reach the northeast ridge.

   Watch for: A dry cone is loose. The traverse avoids it.

8. 8

   Summit of Mount Lincoln 14,293' · 3.25 mi

   Climb the northeast ridge on Class 2 rock to the summit.

   Watch for: Expect other hikers on top from the standard route.

Getting down

Go back the way you came. From the summit, go down the northeast ridge, cross back south below the cone to the Russia Mine, and follow the main road down the east shoulder. Turn right near 13,200 feet where the road leaves the shoulder, then follow it left near 13,000 feet back toward Quartzville. Watch for the many side roads and stay on the main one. Do not follow other hikers down the standard loop, which ends at a different trailhead.

If things go wrong

You can turn around at any point and walk back down the road. It is the quickest way out. If a storm catches you, head down right away. The whole route is exposed, so do not wait it out up high. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal.

Other routes

Every way up Mount Lincoln we list, with its class.

• West RidgeClass 2 6 mi
• East Slopes this routeClass 2 6.5 mi
• Lincoln AmphitheaterClass 2 4.75 mi
• DecalibronClass 2 7.5 mi