| Columbine Route (Winter/Summer Variations) Route |
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| Columbine Route (Winter/Summer Variations)   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 40.84300°N / 106.929°W Route Type: Snowclimb (winter) Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Moderate
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| Page By: Scott Created/Edited: Jan 11, 2005 / Mar 7, 2006 Object ID: 163512 Hits: 1758 Loading... Page Score: 86.38% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachFrom Steamboat Springs, drive to the north end of town and to where County Road 129 leaves Highway 40. A sign marks "Clark" and "Hahns Peak". This is the same road heading to the airport. Follow County Road 129 north for about 29 miles, past the small town of Hahns Peak, and to the small village of Columbine. In winter, park at the Columbine General Store. The road is always open to this point.
Summer:
From Steamboat Springs, drive to the north end of town and to where County Road 129 leaves Highway 40. A sign marks "Clark" and "Hahns Peak". This is the same road heading to the airport. Follow County Road 129 north for about 29 miles, past the small town of Hahns Peak, and to the small village of Columbine. In winter, you will have to park at the Columbine General Store. The road is always open to this point.
In summer, you can drive east off County Road 29, on FS Road 490. After 0.9 miles turn left. The road is pretty good for all vehicles here, but becomes rougher after this (4wd recommended). Turn left after another 0.3 miles and left again after another 0.2 miles. Soon you will reach a parking area. This could be considered to be the "normal trailhead". Park here unless you are prepared for some really serious off-roading. If you have a good 4wd, you can drive another 0.5 miles to the beginning of the actual trail, but there is only enough room at that trailhead for one vehicle, and there isn’t a good place to turn around.
Route DescriptionNote: In winter, you will have to walk the road to the trailhead as described above.
Notice on the map, there is a switchback between the words "4wd" and "Pack". This is right at the 9600 foot contour. The topo map is in error, as a 4wd road actually goes straight (not shown) and the trail switchbacks to the right. A trail sign marks the beginning of the trail. The route will not be packed down by snowmobiles from here on, and trail-breaking becomes more strenuous (in winter).
The now single-track trail switchbacks up the slope and to timberline at 10,300 feet elevation. There is an old cabin located just below timberline, and an old mining road crosses the trail near here. There is a steeper section before the trail flattens out right below an old mine. In summer, the trail passes near some ATV tracks, so take care to find the correct trail on the return trip.
In winter, you can mostly forget about finding the trail from here on, and it is best to climb directly up the ridge to the summit. The last part of the ridge can be heavily corniced, and extreme caution is warranted.
In summer, there are several tracks through the talus and leading to the summit. Use caution in summer as deaths have occurred from lightning strikes. There is an old fire look out on the summit from which you can enjoy the fine views from.
In winter, the round trip distance is about 7.1 miles with just over 2100 feet elevation gain. In summer, and assuming you can drive to the "normal trailhead", the round trip distance is about 3.4 miles, and with about 1650 feet elevation gain.
    
Essential GearWinter:
Ice axe, snowshoes or skis, warm winter gear. The standard route is relatively avalanche free-provided of course, that you don't step off a cornice. Avalanche probes and beacons are good equipment to have.
Summer:
Only a good pair of boots is needed.
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Elkhead Mountains
