Mount Princeton

4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Mount Princeton (14,196') is the most majestic and popular of the Collegiate Peaks, and the Princeton Chalet road takes you well above timberline on the southern slope of the mountain. The trail is in such close proximity to Buena Vista that you can look up at the mountain from downtown and then two...Read More
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Highlights of Mount Princeton

Altitude Category IconAltitude
Beginner Category IconBeginner
Forest Category IconForest
Iconic Category IconIconic
Mine Category IconMine
Highest Elevation
12103 ft
Shape of Trail
Out & Back
Typically Open
04/15 - 12/01
Best Direction
N/A
Official Trail Name
FS 322/322A
Nearest Town
Buena Vista
Nearest Services
Buena Vista
Management Agency
San Isabel National Forest
District
Salida Ranger District

Overview

Mount Princeton (14,196') is the most majestic and popular of the Collegiate Peaks, and the Princeton Chalet road takes you well above timberline on the southern slope of the mountain. The trail is in such close proximity to Buena Vista that you can look up at the mountain from downtown and then two hours later you can be looking down on the valley below giving you views of nearly the entire county. The road will certainly test the nerves of even the most experienced drivers as it switchbacks its way up the mountains and then traverses to the south crossing a large avalanche chute before ending on a ridge below Tigger Peak (13,300'). A chalet built by Young Life in the 60s still stands at the end of the road and is used by hikers and mountaineers during their adventures.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
9 Waypoints
29 Trail Photos
2 Trail Concerns
29 Community Reviews
1 Video
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