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Mount Princeton
Buena Vista,
Colorado
(Chaffee County)
Last Updated:
05/22/2023
Trail Information
Highlights
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
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Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 10/15/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
This was my first time to drive up Mt. Princeton, and it was totally worthwhile. The road is narrow, too narrow for passing traffic in most spots, but there are switchbacks and other spots where one can pull out. These spots seemed more numerous at lower elevations--fewer up high. The stone chalet is a gem--remarkably good condition (please help keep it that way!) Views from the top are spectacular, especially to the SW towards Mount Antero. Just an incredible view!
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 07/05/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Ran the trail this morning to the top in my Tacoma TRD Offroad with stock suspension and 32” ST Maxx’s. Everything was going great until we encountered a boulder between waypoints 6 and 7 that put us at 20 degrees of roll towards the cliff. My wife opted to get out and walk the rest and film me driving solo. That one boulder was really the only tough part of the trail just because the consequences of tipping would’ve been fatal. Definitely wouldn’t want to navigate that in wet conditions. There was not enough room to dodge the boulder on the cliff side and I didn’t have the clearance to straddle it. So I had no choice but to take it directly under my tires. After reaching the top, we went back to waypoint 6, parked, and climbed Mt Princeton. Great morning on the trails!
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