scgrant - Nov 30, 2015 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2015
Harvard and Columbia
From the North Fork of Cottonwood Creek TH, Harvard first and then traverse to Columbia. Nice loop hike hitting these two impressive 14er's.
Moogie737 - Aug 13, 2015 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2015
N Cottonwood TH but Columbia First
#1 8-11-15 W/ Brent. Did Columbia via its renowned scree climb, steeled ourselves for the intriguing romp to Harvard's teeny weeny summit and watched with trepidation as thunder rumbled from all directions and black-bellied clouds spit rain showers in wind-swept sheets. Strong winds made it feel more like October and we spent only enough time on the summit boulders to take 3 quick pictures. By then the rain was pelting us and made the descent down the summit block boulders very dicey. Saw a solitary but majestic mountain goat half way down. Our total time for the two-fer loop was 11+47.
Onager - Jul 12, 2015 12:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2015
Overnight in Horn Fork Basin
Climbed 14,420 ft. Mount Harvard today with Kieva. We hiked in Friday night and camped at a great spot in Horn Fork Basin. We hit the trail at 6 AM Saturday and made the summit by 9:30 AM. Clouds were rolling in but the weather was otherwise good. We made it back to camp to pack out by 12:30 PM and were back at the North Cottonwood trailhead by 4 PM. Total of 14 miles and 4,600 ft. of elevation gain.
pchernik - Jan 20, 2015 11:18 pm Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2015
Columbia/Harvard traverse
On Sat Jan 17 we hiked up from Buena Vista to Horn Fork Basin via North Cottonwood (parked around 8500 as we didn't have chains and our 4WD had trouble going up the snow). Snowshoes are a must from North Cottonwood trailhead to the base. By our campsite there was nearly 3 ft of snow. Camped around 11500. Sunday, we went up Mount Columbia via West Slopes. Traverse from Columbia to Harvard was difficult, with much snow. The trail would be very hard to follow without GPS (cairns weren't easy to spot - we saw only a couple the entire way). We got to Mount Harvard by sunset and went down via South Slopes. We went up in microspikes, but I'd probably go with crampons if I had to do it over.
Hiked up the south ridge from Horn Fork Basin. Nice and casual route.
yadahzoemtn - Jul 4, 2014 11:12 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2014
In Combination w/ Columbia
Started at Cottonwood with Greg and Colette. Summited Columbia first and across the ridge to Harvard. Strenuous day. This combo is not to be underestimated.
iceaxe5 - Jun 23, 2014 11:32 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1998
summitted
summitted.
ericd - Jun 2, 2014 1:43 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2014
...a lot of snow this winter
Underestimated this climb from Cottonwood Creek to the top of Mt Harvard due to all the soft snow. Left the beautiful basin without snowshoes and was back down 10hrs later. Although a leg burner, still well worth the Collegiate view on top of the haystack of rocks at 14,420, actually the weather was perfect considering no wind. Traverse was right there and tempting but simply out of time due to the efficiency loss of post-holing up to our thighs!
MissH - May 27, 2014 2:16 am Date Climbed: May 26, 2014
Love it when the weather reports are WRONG!
North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead, South Slopes Route. Mother nature proved the weather models WRONG! Bluebird sky in the morning of summit day, no wind all day. Gray clouds building up were a bluff. However, the evening before gave us rain, thunder, and snow before we made camp at Horn Fork Basin near treeline. Still tons of snow, but patches started about 0.5 mile in and with warmer temps, we postholed much of the way (even well-above treeline). Rascally rabbits nibbled the handle of one of my trekking poles (before I brought it in the tent) and one of the tent stake loops (really?! Hope Big Agnes covers that under warranty). And they kept me up nearly all night with their partying. Not so cute anymore are they? - left car at 1:15 pm, found camp site by 5:15 pm. Left tent for summit 7:30 am, summited by 1:30 pm, back to camp by 5:00 pm, back to car by 8:15 pm. The snow slogs certainly complicated our adventure, but today's gorgeous weather made up for it.
DanielL - Oct 4, 2013 11:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2008
Big Day
Climbed Harvard and Columbia (17 miles RT) in beautiful late summer conditions - big, big day!
Harvard was a pleasure, the traverse was fun, but the "trail" coming down Columbia sucked. Worst trail I've seen on a 14er by far - I can't believe it's the standard route. There were people all over the side of the mountain looking for it, and once we did find it, it was thin and steep with bad erosion. Expect to fall on your ass half a dozen times. Honestly, do Harvard and skip Columbia unless you are determined to do all the 14ers.
relic - Feb 23, 2013 1:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1981
Long time ago
Date is a guess, from the few years I lived in Colorado.
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 1:28 pm Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2011
14ers.com Gathering
I met a bunch of folks I shouldn't have. HA!
ajberry - Oct 27, 2012 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Normal route and on to Columbia
With Katie and Megan, both 11. Camped in Horn Fork Basin. Great conditions -- and always nice to climb a mtn named after your employer....
milan - Oct 18, 2012 5:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Collegiate first
Had a tent near Harvard/Columbia trail fork and this one was a great Mountain, storm almost chased us from the summit.
Sarah Simon - Sep 16, 2012 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2012
North Cottonwood TH
Ack!!! I love September in Colorado!!!! What a beautiful day. Azure sky, yellow willow and aspen, orange tundra... Enjoyed Tuaca with lunch on the summit. Chilled out for dinner at Eddyline, drinking their heavenly Inner Glow Red Chili Porter. Hell yeah!!!
scgrant - Nov 30, 2015 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2015
Harvard and ColumbiaFrom the North Fork of Cottonwood Creek TH, Harvard first and then traverse to Columbia. Nice loop hike hitting these two impressive 14er's.
Moogie737 - Aug 13, 2015 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2015
N Cottonwood TH but Columbia First#1 8-11-15 W/ Brent. Did Columbia via its renowned scree climb, steeled ourselves for the intriguing romp to Harvard's teeny weeny summit and watched with trepidation as thunder rumbled from all directions and black-bellied clouds spit rain showers in wind-swept sheets. Strong winds made it feel more like October and we spent only enough time on the summit boulders to take 3 quick pictures. By then the rain was pelting us and made the descent down the summit block boulders very dicey. Saw a solitary but majestic mountain goat half way down. Our total time for the two-fer loop was 11+47.
Onager - Jul 12, 2015 12:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2015
Overnight in Horn Fork BasinClimbed 14,420 ft. Mount Harvard today with Kieva. We hiked in Friday night and camped at a great spot in Horn Fork Basin. We hit the trail at 6 AM Saturday and made the summit by 9:30 AM. Clouds were rolling in but the weather was otherwise good. We made it back to camp to pack out by 12:30 PM and were back at the North Cottonwood trailhead by 4 PM. Total of 14 miles and 4,600 ft. of elevation gain.
pchernik - Jan 20, 2015 11:18 pm Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2015
Columbia/Harvard traverseOn Sat Jan 17 we hiked up from Buena Vista to Horn Fork Basin via North Cottonwood (parked around 8500 as we didn't have chains and our 4WD had trouble going up the snow). Snowshoes are a must from North Cottonwood trailhead to the base. By our campsite there was nearly 3 ft of snow. Camped around 11500. Sunday, we went up Mount Columbia via West Slopes. Traverse from Columbia to Harvard was difficult, with much snow. The trail would be very hard to follow without GPS (cairns weren't easy to spot - we saw only a couple the entire way). We got to Mount Harvard by sunset and went down via South Slopes. We went up in microspikes, but I'd probably go with crampons if I had to do it over.
telemarkdude - Jul 27, 2014 7:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2014
From Horn Fork BasinHiked up the south ridge from Horn Fork Basin. Nice and casual route.
yadahzoemtn - Jul 4, 2014 11:12 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2014
In Combination w/ ColumbiaStarted at Cottonwood with Greg and Colette. Summited Columbia first and across the ridge to Harvard. Strenuous day. This combo is not to be underestimated.
iceaxe5 - Jun 23, 2014 11:32 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1998
summittedsummitted.
ericd - Jun 2, 2014 1:43 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2014
...a lot of snow this winterUnderestimated this climb from Cottonwood Creek to the top of Mt Harvard due to all the soft snow. Left the beautiful basin without snowshoes and was back down 10hrs later. Although a leg burner, still well worth the Collegiate view on top of the haystack of rocks at 14,420, actually the weather was perfect considering no wind. Traverse was right there and tempting but simply out of time due to the efficiency loss of post-holing up to our thighs!
MissH - May 27, 2014 2:16 am Date Climbed: May 26, 2014
Love it when the weather reports are WRONG!North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead, South Slopes Route. Mother nature proved the weather models WRONG! Bluebird sky in the morning of summit day, no wind all day. Gray clouds building up were a bluff. However, the evening before gave us rain, thunder, and snow before we made camp at Horn Fork Basin near treeline. Still tons of snow, but patches started about 0.5 mile in and with warmer temps, we postholed much of the way (even well-above treeline). Rascally rabbits nibbled the handle of one of my trekking poles (before I brought it in the tent) and one of the tent stake loops (really?! Hope Big Agnes covers that under warranty). And they kept me up nearly all night with their partying. Not so cute anymore are they? - left car at 1:15 pm, found camp site by 5:15 pm. Left tent for summit 7:30 am, summited by 1:30 pm, back to camp by 5:00 pm, back to car by 8:15 pm. The snow slogs certainly complicated our adventure, but today's gorgeous weather made up for it.
DanielL - Oct 4, 2013 11:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2008
Big DayClimbed Harvard and Columbia (17 miles RT) in beautiful late summer conditions - big, big day!
cdevenney84 - Sep 22, 2013 6:25 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2013
Combo - bad trail and sore feetHarvard was a pleasure, the traverse was fun, but the "trail" coming down Columbia sucked. Worst trail I've seen on a 14er by far - I can't believe it's the standard route. There were people all over the side of the mountain looking for it, and once we did find it, it was thin and steep with bad erosion. Expect to fall on your ass half a dozen times. Honestly, do Harvard and skip Columbia unless you are determined to do all the 14ers.
rockymountaindiva - Jul 26, 2013 3:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2011
With my hubbyPerfect day, wanted to do traverse to Columbia but the other half wasn't up to it.
Peakbug - Jul 7, 2013 4:41 pm
First 14er- July 2003Climbed Mt. Harvard with a group of friends for my first 14,000 ft peak
lapotka - Apr 23, 2013 4:42 pm
great hikesecond of many 14ers.
relic - Feb 23, 2013 1:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1981
Long time agoDate is a guess, from the few years I lived in Colorado.
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 1:28 pm Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2011
14ers.com GatheringI met a bunch of folks I shouldn't have. HA!
ajberry - Oct 27, 2012 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Normal route and on to ColumbiaWith Katie and Megan, both 11. Camped in Horn Fork Basin. Great conditions -- and always nice to climb a mtn named after your employer....
milan - Oct 18, 2012 5:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Collegiate firstHad a tent near Harvard/Columbia trail fork and this one was a great Mountain, storm almost chased us from the summit.
Sarah Simon - Sep 16, 2012 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2012
North Cottonwood THAck!!! I love September in Colorado!!!! What a beautiful day. Azure sky, yellow willow and aspen, orange tundra... Enjoyed Tuaca with lunch on the summit. Chilled out for dinner at Eddyline, drinking their heavenly Inner Glow Red Chili Porter. Hell yeah!!!
scvanm - Sep 4, 2012 7:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2012
22ndMade it to Harvard, had to give up trying for Columbia too. I just can't camp at 11,500 when driving in from Omaha. Solo