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.
Colorado 13er · North Ridge from Mount Buckskin
Overview
Loveland Mountain sits south of Mount Buckskin at the head of the Kite Lake basin above Alma. The easiest way up climbs Buckskin first, then follows the ridge south, down to a saddle and up Loveland's north ridge.
It is Class 2. Buckskin's northeast slopes are steep grass and talus; the ridge to Loveland is rocky below the summit, and a trail slips along the west side of the mountain for the last stretch.
The round trip is about 4.25 miles with 2,600 feet of gain, usually 4 to 6 hours. Coming back you climb about 450 feet up Buckskin again, which catches people out.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on Buckskin by 10 a.m., and leave Loveland by 11.
Crux
The rougher ground above the Buckskin-Loveland saddle, and the climb back over Buckskin on the way home.
Route-finding
Follow the Mount Buckskin route to its summit ridge, then the ridge south. Loveland is always in view.
From Fairplay, take Highway 9 north into Alma. Near the center of town, turn west on County Road 8 (the Kite Lake road). Drive about 6 miles through a neighborhood and up the valley to the Kite Lake lot at about 12,000 feet.
The last mile is rough; a car with decent clearance can usually get close when the road is dry. The lot has toilets and charges a parking fee. It fills early on summer weekends because of the 14ers here.
RidgeTundraExposed 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
Kite Lake trailhead 12,020' · 0 mi
Follow the Mount Buckskin route: a short way on the Lake Emma trail, then off trail up Buckskin's northeast slopes.
2
Buckskin's summit ridge 13,750' · 1.4 mi
Reach the southeast end of Buckskin's summit ridge. If you have already climbed Buckskin you can skip its top and start south from here.
3
Mount Buckskin 13,871' · 1.5 mi
Tag the summit, then come back to the end of the ridge.
4
Descent to the saddle 13,600' · 1.75 mi
Head south down the ridge. Around 13,600 feet it gets steeper.
5
Buckskin-Loveland saddle 13,450' · 1.9 mi
Follow a trail across the saddle to where Loveland's side gets rougher.
6
North ridge 13,600' · 2.05 mi
Stay on or just right of the crest. Near 13,600 feet the trail moves right onto the west side of the mountain and crosses rocky ground.
7
Summit 13,707' · 2.2 mi
Leave the trail at an open area and walk up to the top.
Getting down
Retrace the route to the saddle and climb back up to Buckskin's ridge, about 450 feet. Then go down Buckskin's northeast slopes to Kite Lake.
If things go wrong
Before the saddle, turn back to Buckskin and descend. There is no easy way down from the saddle into the basin below.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Most of this route is off trail on open slopes and ridges. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
Other routes
Every way up Loveland Mountain we list, with its class.
North Ridge from Mt. Buckskinthis routeClass 2 4.25 mi
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.