Fourteeners & High Country
Mount Princeton
Climb one of the most recognizable peaks in the Collegiate Peaks, rising more than 14,000 feet above the Chalk Creek Valley near Nathrop.
Above the Chalk Creek Valley
One of the Arkansas Valley's Landmark Peaks
Mount Princeton rises abruptly west of Nathrop to 14,200 feet, forming one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the Collegiate Peaks.
From the Arkansas River Valley, the mountain appears to rise almost directly from the valley floor. Its eastern slopes dominate views from Nathrop, Buena Vista, and much of the surrounding valley.
The standard East Slopes route is a Class 2 climb. There is no technical climbing on the normal summer route, but much of the upper mountain consists of steep, loose rock and talus rather than a simple maintained hiking trail.
Mount Princeton also has one of the more unusual approaches among Colorado's fourteeners. A narrow mountain road climbs thousands of feet up its eastern slope, allowing capable high-clearance vehicles to shorten the hike considerably.
The Basics
Mount Princeton at a Glance
Elevation
14,200 Feet
Mount Princeton is one of the major fourteeners of Colorado's Sawatch Range and Collegiate Peaks.
Standard Route
East Slopes
The standard summer route approaches from the east side of the mountain above Nathrop and Chalk Creek Canyon.
Difficulty
Class 2
Expect steep rocky terrain, loose talus, route finding, and long stretches above treeline.
Upper Start
6.5 Miles
From the upper four-wheel-drive starting area, the standard route is about 6.5 miles round trip with roughly 3,200 feet of climbing.
Standard Route
Climbing the East Slopes
The standard route begins high on Mount Princeton Road and initially follows the road toward the radio towers and upper mountain.
Eventually the hiking route leaves the road and begins a long traverse across Princeton's eastern slopes beneath Tigger Peak.
This traverse is where the character of the climb changes. The route crosses large fields of broken rock and talus, and progress can be considerably slower than the mileage might suggest.
Higher up, the route turns toward the summit ridge and climbs through increasingly steep Class 2 terrain before reaching the broad summit.
Route: East Slopes
Difficulty: Class 2
Upper-start distance: about 6.5 miles round trip
Upper-start gain: about 3,200 feet
An Unusual Trailhead
Where You Park Changes the Entire Hike
Mount Princeton Road climbs high onto the mountain before the actual summit route begins. How far you drive can change the climb by several miles and thousands of feet of elevation gain.
Most Vehicles
Lower 2WD Trailhead
The lower parking area is reached on County Road 322 and avoids committing a vehicle to the rough upper mountain road.
Starting here makes Mount Princeton a much larger day, roughly 13 miles round trip with more than 5,000 feet of total climbing.
High Clearance
Radio Towers
High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles can continue farther up Mount Princeton Road toward the radio towers.
This removes a substantial amount of road walking, but the upper road is narrow, rocky, steep in places, and has limited opportunities for vehicles to pass.
Know Before You Drive
The Road Is Part of the Decision
Do not choose the upper start based only on vehicle clearance. Drivers need to be comfortable with narrow mountain roads, rough surfaces, steep drop-offs, and meeting other vehicles.
When in doubt, park lower and hike the road.
More Than a Trail Hike
Expect a Lot of Rock
Mount Princeton's mileage can make it look easier on paper than it feels on the mountain.
Much of the route above treeline crosses talus, broken rock, and uneven terrain. Hikers frequently spend more time watching their footing than simply walking along a smooth trail.
Route finding also matters. Cairns and sections of established tread help identify the route, but the line can become less obvious among the rocks.
The descent deserves just as much attention as the climb. Loose rock and tired legs are not a good combination, particularly after a long day that began at the lower trailhead.
14,200 Feet
Views Across the Arkansas River Valley
Mount Princeton's position near the eastern edge of the Sawatch Range gives the summit an unusually open view across the Arkansas River Valley.
To the east, the valley stretches toward the Mosquito Range and South Park. Buena Vista and Nathrop lie thousands of feet below.
To the west and south, the view becomes a wall of high Sawatch peaks, with Mount Yale, Mount Antero, Mount Shavano, and numerous other summits filling the horizon.
Chalk Creek Canyon is directly below the mountain's southern side, linking the summit visually with the hot springs, Chalk Cliffs, campgrounds, and St. Elmo corridor far below.
Below the Mountain
Mount Princeton & Chalk Creek Canyon
You do not have to climb the summit to experience the mountain. Some of the best views of Princeton are found along the Chalk Creek corridor below it.
Chalk Creek
County Road 162 follows Chalk Creek beneath the southern slopes of Mount Princeton toward campgrounds, trails, historic sites, and St. Elmo.
Chalk Cliffs
Pale cliffs on the lower side of Mount Princeton stand out sharply against the surrounding forest and are one of the defining geological features of the Chalk Creek Valley.
Colorado Trail
The Colorado Trail crosses the Chalk Creek corridor below Princeton, offering a much less committing way to hike beneath the Collegiate Peaks.
Is It Right for You?
Mount Princeton Is Not Just a Short Fourteener
The upper-start mileage is relatively modest for a Colorado fourteener, but the terrain makes Princeton a more demanding climb than the numbers alone suggest.
Good Choice If...
You are comfortable hiking above treeline, moving across loose rock, navigating Class 2 terrain, and adjusting your route when the trail becomes less obvious.
Think Twice If...
Your experience is mostly on smooth, maintained trails or you are uncomfortable with long talus traverses and loose mountain terrain.
Starting Lower?
Be prepared for a substantially longer endurance day. The extra road mileage may not be technically difficult, but it adds thousands of vertical feet before and after the rocky summit route.
High Country Safety
Start Early and Watch the Sky
Once you leave the road, most of the upper route is exposed. There is very little shelter if thunderstorms develop.
Start Before Sunrise
An early start gives you the best chance of completing the exposed upper mountain before afternoon thunderstorms begin developing.
Watch for Lightning
Do not remain on the summit ridge or exposed talus when thunderstorms are building. Descending early is always better than trying to beat an approaching storm.
Carry Mountain Layers
Bring warm layers and rain protection even on a clear summer morning. Wind, hail, and sudden temperature drops are common above treeline.
Bring Enough Water
Do not depend on finding reliable water high on the standard route. Carry what you need for the climb, especially when starting lower.
When to Climb
Mount Princeton Through the Seasons
Summer
Mid- and late summer normally provide the most straightforward conditions on the standard route.
Afternoon thunderstorms remain the primary weather concern.
Fall
Early fall can bring clear skies and cooler temperatures, but the first snow and ice can make the rocky upper route significantly more difficult.
Winter
Winter changes Mount Princeton into a mountaineering objective. Snow, ice, avalanche terrain, short daylight, and winter road conditions require a completely different skill set.
Spring
Snow often remains on the upper mountain after the Arkansas River Valley has turned green. Do not assume warm conditions around Nathrop mean a dry summit route.
Before You Go
Check Current Route & Road Conditions
Mount Princeton's trail and access road can change with snow, runoff, storms, maintenance, and erosion. Check recent reports before deciding where to park or what conditions to expect above treeline.
Route Conditions
Check recent summit reports for snow, ice, trail work, and other conditions affecting the East Slopes route.
Current Mount Princeton conditions →Road Conditions
Never assume the upper road is suitable simply because another vehicle has driven it. Conditions and driver experience vary.
Download the Route
Save your map or GPX file before leaving the valley. Do not depend on reliable cell service high on the mountain.
Not Looking for a Summit?
Explore the Mountains Below Princeton
The Nathrop area has plenty of mountain hiking without committing to a 14,000-foot summit. Browns Creek and Chalk Creek Canyon provide forest trails, waterfalls, lakes, historic routes, and access deeper into the Sawatch Range.