How to Climb Mount Princeton in Colorado
Mount Princeton stands tall at 14,197 feet and dominates the skyline west of Buena Vista. It's one of the more visually striking 14ers in the Sawatch Range, thanks to its dramatic rise from the Arkansas River Valley. The East Slopes route is a non-technical Class 2 hike, but it’s far from easy—expect loose talus, a long approach, and big elevation gain.
Getting to the Trailhead
From Buena Vista, head west on Chaffee County Road 306 and turn south on County Road 321. After about a mile, turn right onto Mount Princeton Road (Forest Service Road 322). The lower trailhead sits around 8,900 feet. If you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, you can drive up a steep and rocky road for 3 miles to a parking area near the radio towers at 11,000 feet.
The road is narrow, exposed in places, and has limited pullouts—don’t attempt it in poor weather or without experience on rough roads. If you start from the lower lot, plan for a much longer day.
Route Overview: East Slopes
From the radio towers, continue up the 4WD road for about another mile. At around 11,800 feet, look for a large cairn where a singletrack trail cuts left across the talus. This is where the hike leaves the road and the real climbing begins.
The trail is rough and rocky, traversing steep, loose slopes. Route-finding is mostly straightforward in summer, but snow or fog can obscure the path. Around 13,000 feet, the trail steepens as it climbs toward the summit ridge. From there, it’s a final short push on blocky talus to reach the summit.
Round-trip stats from the upper radio towers: roughly 6.5 miles and 3,200 feet of gain. From the lower trailhead: about 13 miles and 5,300 feet of elevation.
Tips for Climbing Mount Princeton
Start early—this mountain is notorious for being fully exposed above treeline.
If hiking from the lower lot, expect a very full day. The road walk adds time and wear.
Bring trekking poles and sturdy footwear—the trail is loose underfoot.
There's no reliable water source above the lower trailhead, so pack extra.
Mount Princeton blends high alpine terrain with one of Colorado’s most iconic summit views. Whether you grind it out from the bottom or shave off mileage by driving higher, it’s a challenging but rewarding day in the Collegiate Peaks.
