Frenchman Creek

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Geography

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Routes

Harvard and Columbia combination

North Cottonwood TH

Frenchman Creek

East Ridge/Three Elk Creek

Frenchman Creek

Page Type: Route

Location: Colorado, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 38.90390°N / 106.2969°W

Route Type: Class 2

Time Required: Most of a day

Difficulty: Hike

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Page By: Aaron Johnson

Created/Edited: Sep 23, 2002 / Jun 16, 2006

Object ID: 156998

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Table of Contents

Approach

From the Buena Vista city limit sign on the north side of town, drive north 7.2 miles on Highway 24 to Riverside, and turn west on Chaffee County 836. Turn right at a sign indicating Frenchman Creek. At about 8,800 feet, the road forks and there are camping opportunities. Stay left at this fork.

If you do not have 4WD, do not proceed further on the road. Your hike begins here. This road is narrow and steep with several rocky moments. 4WD takes you 1.5 miles further up the road, which winds through the forest, over tree covered ridge tops and side sloping stretches. At a dead end atop a steep rise, your hike begins in a tight but level parking area nestled in the trees suitable for about five vehicles. The road, labled as the Harvard Trail on 7.5 minute topo maps, is moderate in difficulty.

Route Description

From the end of the road, follow the trail as it heads west. Just past a register station is the crossing of Frenchman Creek. Just over a mile later, a sign of metal saying "closed to all motorized vehicles" will be encountered. 45 feet beyond is the Main Range/Colorado Trail trail intersection, but continue up the Harvard trail westward. A sign indicates the route as Frenchman Creek. 100 feet beyond is a fine, large camping area with water nearby. Go through this area west, turning northwest at the end of a fallen tree trunk. Drop down and cross a stream before continuing west up the drainage.

At timberline are some good camping spots along Frenchman Creek if you would like to linger in the area over night. This spot is just over halfway to the summit. Just beyond the camp sites, the trail climbs into a broad, beautiful basin between Columbia (left) and Harvard's sweeping slopes (right). The west end of Harvard's summit ridge is seen from here. Above the gully, the trail crosses to Frenchman Creek's north side and leads a contouring route above the marshes toward Mount Harvard.

Leave the Harvard trail and angle left, contouring along the base of Columbia's north slopes, staying above the marshes. Any number of options are available. Slope difficulties will not exceed Class 2. A half mile from where you break from the trail, look up Columbia's slopes. Directly south, above a gentle ramp of turndra is a steep draw in which you may spot a climber's trail climbing up the left side. This steep ascent up loose material and hard packed talus is a good route, but many options are available further west below the summit cone. One other good route climbs directly toward the summit cone at a 45 degree incline around a tudra dome, through a rock field and up steep tundra. An almost level rock-hop due southwest leads you to the base and ascent of the summit cone. Scramble up Class 2 boulders to Columbia's inspiring, tiny summit.

Return the same route. Be sure to stay left at the MAIN RANGE TRAIL intersection on your return! Look for and go past the CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED VEHICLE sign. Round trip distance from the end of the jeep road: 9 miles. Add 3 miles round trip if you hike the 4WD portion of the road .

Mt. Harvard can be climbed via this route as well, adding considerable time. See essential gear section.

Essential Gear

Utilizing the 4WD road makes this a nice day hike, but this approach also makes for a wonderful overnight outing as well. Standard hiking gear will do. Overnight gear and provisions should be brought in accordance to the duration of your stay. Early season or winter trips would be lengthy and difficult due to access concerns. The drainage just before the basin is narrow and avalanche danger would be formidable. Full winter gear would be required in this case, although the route is not recommended for winter ascents due to the aformentioned concerns.

If attempting Harvard as well, an overnight camp is recommended. Water is available in Frenchman Creek. Unpredictable sources may be available on the mountains, but cannot be relied on. On a day hike or overnight outing, fill up your water near the camping area. Count on a long day if attempting both mountains.