JesseSumrak - Aug 25, 2020 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2020
Steep but rewarding
Quick and relatively easy hike up. It’s a steep trail, but it’s well maintained with good dirt, contributing to great traction. The top is a different story - class 2 scramble on a terrible rutted out Trail that’s dangerously slick. Hate to go down on tundra, but 10x safer here. Beautiful sunrise and views.
My first summit yet, got me inspired to do many more. Mostly a walk through forest until the final part, which is a large rock field, then at the end, it turns in to a steep grass slope, where the trail has "steps" in the dirt. For being a relatively low summit in the region, the views are great. Would definitely do it again!
screehopper - Dec 25, 2018 9:47 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2018
Courthouse 2nd summit
Great hike, steep all the way with a boulder field that requires careful footing. Always enjoy views of Chimney Rock and Precipice. At 60 yrs old It was 4 1/2 hrs car to car with younger climbers wizzing past me. 30 minutes on the summit with about 14 other climbers was kinda crowded. I’ll do it again
Walkoutnow - Aug 5, 2018 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2018
Well worth it..
Had to drive 4 hrs from Snowmass, on the way to Ouray, so got lucky with weather considering we started at 230pm or some such.
Very secluded and great views of the jagged, rocky outcropping mountains around that area. Very much worth the 1800 ft up and only 3.6 miles RT. We did it in 1:25 up and 45 down, and not at a fast pace by any means. Fun way to acclimatize before the 14ers, so drive out there and do it - We did Sneffels the next morning and felt great.
MMclimbhigh - Jul 15, 2015 11:19 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2015
Trail
Bang for the buck! Our first summit as CO citizens after 15 years of living and climbing in the N. Cascades. Lovin' the San Juans!
Be sure to say hi to the tame Marmot near the summit!
Misa - Sep 18, 2014 12:43 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2014
I hiked the mountain 2x - once with my son and Duchess, and 2nd time with my brother and Duchess. Easy hiking on a nice trail, amazing views of Chimney Rock, and Cimarron range.
BradBartick - Jun 22, 2014 7:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2014
Good scramble
Some snow still but easy going. A couple with a huge dog came up behind us and left the poor pup (150lbs at least) to do the summit scramble. My wife and I worried but turns out the dog does the hike a lot and was more than capable. Nice couple, they felt bad my wife stayed with the dog at the class 2section but Michelle can't help it. She and the dog bonded quite well!
ozarkmac - Feb 16, 2013 9:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 1999
featured in True Grit...
Climbed with Teresa while the grandparents watched the kids at Silverjack Campground. Short, sweet, steep climb to a small summit with a view sublime. Had the mountain to ourselves.
SarahThompson - Oct 15, 2012 4:47 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2009
Love this peak
What a fantastic peak in one of my favorite parts of the state!
displacedchzhead - Aug 30, 2012 10:16 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2010
Short but sweet
The Courthouse Mountain summit hike is pure FUN! And not terribly strenuous, even for a flatlander. This was the first summit my hiking partner ever did, which made it feel extra special.
JonBradford - Aug 13, 2012 8:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2012
Love this mountain
Best 1.8 mile long trail to a summit that I know of in Colorado. The route looks so improbable from so many angles but is quite easy and follows a natural weakness past all the awesome cliffs. Chimney Rock is beautiful. My dogs Sopris and Watanga beat me to the summit.
Trailboss88 - May 13, 2012 8:01 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2012
solo slushy slog up Courthouse
Road was clear 2/3 of a mile to the trailhead. There was about 50% snow cover on the trail. I used my GPS to supplement blazes and cut logs. A lot of slushy posthole-ing, but made it to the top in under 3 hours. Followed the rocky ridge from the summit trail junction to avoid deep snow on east slope. Had to get creative on summit area to avoid snow and slippery mud. Followed same general route down.
Kessler - May 8, 2012 2:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Courthouse
7-18-2010
Scott - May 7, 2012 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Courthouse
Kessler and I didn’t make the decision of which mountain to climb until the morning. We decided on Courthouse Mountain in the San Juans, since it wasn’t a long climb and since we still had a long drive ahead.
After driving to the trailhead, we set off up the mountain. We met Sarah and Deb from the day before just after starting up the mountain.
The mountain was a short, but fairly steep climb and is very scenic. It looks fearsome from the west, but from the east, it’s a nice class 2+ climb, mostly on a fairly steep trail. There was some minor scrambling before we reached the summit area. The true summit had a nice little scramble along a narrow ridge and a climb through an interesting notch. The views from the summit were fantastic. After enjoying the summit and watching a mischievous golden mantled squirrel, we headed back down the mountain. Kessler ran down the mountain with Sarah and I couldn’t keep up (at least not without trekking poles). I was hoping to give Kessler my earned Princess title (see previous day), but was unsuccessful. Next time I’ll bring Kessler’s little sister (Shaylee) so I at least have a chance of not being the Princess!
Sarah Simon - May 7, 2012 12:40 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Courthouse Mountain Trail
Visited this summit after a great weekend in Silverton with the SP Colorado crew. Ran into Scott & Kessler, which was cool. Great views from the summit ridge. Could have done without the pesky ummit rat, though.
JesseSumrak - Aug 25, 2020 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2020
Steep but rewardingQuick and relatively easy hike up. It’s a steep trail, but it’s well maintained with good dirt, contributing to great traction. The top is a different story - class 2 scramble on a terrible rutted out Trail that’s dangerously slick. Hate to go down on tundra, but 10x safer here. Beautiful sunrise and views.
TheGunnisonKid - Sep 22, 2019 7:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2019
Courthouse Ascent 2019My first summit yet, got me inspired to do many more. Mostly a walk through forest until the final part, which is a large rock field, then at the end, it turns in to a steep grass slope, where the trail has "steps" in the dirt. For being a relatively low summit in the region, the views are great. Would definitely do it again!
screehopper - Dec 25, 2018 9:47 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2018
Courthouse 2nd summitGreat hike, steep all the way with a boulder field that requires careful footing. Always enjoy views of Chimney Rock and Precipice. At 60 yrs old It was 4 1/2 hrs car to car with younger climbers wizzing past me. 30 minutes on the summit with about 14 other climbers was kinda crowded. I’ll do it again
Walkoutnow - Aug 5, 2018 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2018
Well worth it..Had to drive 4 hrs from Snowmass, on the way to Ouray, so got lucky with weather considering we started at 230pm or some such.
Very secluded and great views of the jagged, rocky outcropping mountains around that area. Very much worth the 1800 ft up and only 3.6 miles RT. We did it in 1:25 up and 45 down, and not at a fast pace by any means. Fun way to acclimatize before the 14ers, so drive out there and do it - We did Sneffels the next morning and felt great.
MMclimbhigh - Jul 15, 2015 11:19 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2015
TrailBang for the buck! Our first summit as CO citizens after 15 years of living and climbing in the N. Cascades. Lovin' the San Juans!
Be sure to say hi to the tame Marmot near the summit!
Misa - Sep 18, 2014 12:43 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2014
nice mountaingreat views, pretty short and nice hike
Liba Kopeckova - Sep 18, 2014 12:31 am
great hike and little summitI hiked the mountain 2x - once with my son and Duchess, and 2nd time with my brother and Duchess. Easy hiking on a nice trail, amazing views of Chimney Rock, and Cimarron range.
BradBartick - Jun 22, 2014 7:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2014
Good scrambleSome snow still but easy going. A couple with a huge dog came up behind us and left the poor pup (150lbs at least) to do the summit scramble. My wife and I worried but turns out the dog does the hike a lot and was more than capable. Nice couple, they felt bad my wife stayed with the dog at the class 2section but Michelle can't help it. She and the dog bonded quite well!
ozarkmac - Feb 16, 2013 9:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 1999
featured in True Grit...Climbed with Teresa while the grandparents watched the kids at Silverjack Campground. Short, sweet, steep climb to a small summit with a view sublime. Had the mountain to ourselves.
SarahThompson - Oct 15, 2012 4:47 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2009
Love this peakWhat a fantastic peak in one of my favorite parts of the state!
displacedchzhead - Aug 30, 2012 10:16 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2010
Short but sweetThe Courthouse Mountain summit hike is pure FUN! And not terribly strenuous, even for a flatlander. This was the first summit my hiking partner ever did, which made it feel extra special.
JonBradford - Aug 13, 2012 8:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2012
Love this mountainBest 1.8 mile long trail to a summit that I know of in Colorado. The route looks so improbable from so many angles but is quite easy and follows a natural weakness past all the awesome cliffs. Chimney Rock is beautiful. My dogs Sopris and Watanga beat me to the summit.
Trailboss88 - May 13, 2012 8:01 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2012
solo slushy slog up CourthouseRoad was clear 2/3 of a mile to the trailhead. There was about 50% snow cover on the trail. I used my GPS to supplement blazes and cut logs. A lot of slushy posthole-ing, but made it to the top in under 3 hours. Followed the rocky ridge from the summit trail junction to avoid deep snow on east slope. Had to get creative on summit area to avoid snow and slippery mud. Followed same general route down.
Kessler - May 8, 2012 2:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Courthouse7-18-2010
Scott - May 7, 2012 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
CourthouseKessler and I didn’t make the decision of which mountain to climb until the morning. We decided on Courthouse Mountain in the San Juans, since it wasn’t a long climb and since we still had a long drive ahead.
After driving to the trailhead, we set off up the mountain. We met Sarah and Deb from the day before just after starting up the mountain.
The mountain was a short, but fairly steep climb and is very scenic. It looks fearsome from the west, but from the east, it’s a nice class 2+ climb, mostly on a fairly steep trail. There was some minor scrambling before we reached the summit area. The true summit had a nice little scramble along a narrow ridge and a climb through an interesting notch. The views from the summit were fantastic. After enjoying the summit and watching a mischievous golden mantled squirrel, we headed back down the mountain. Kessler ran down the mountain with Sarah and I couldn’t keep up (at least not without trekking poles). I was hoping to give Kessler my earned Princess title (see previous day), but was unsuccessful. Next time I’ll bring Kessler’s little sister (Shaylee) so I at least have a chance of not being the Princess!
Sarah Simon - May 7, 2012 12:40 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Courthouse Mountain TrailVisited this summit after a great weekend in Silverton with the SP Colorado crew. Ran into Scott & Kessler, which was cool. Great views from the summit ridge. Could have done without the pesky ummit rat, though.