Hike Mt. Harvard

Buena Vista, Colorado

Save

View all 8 photos

All 8 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

14 miles

Elevation Gain

4600 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Kyle Frost

Distance: 14 miles roundtrip. Elevation gain: 4,600 ft. Hike the 3rd highest peak in Colorado. One of the longer approaches to a 14er, but the payoff is definitely worth it!

Start your hike at the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead. The trail begins at the end of the parking lot. You'll cross a bridge and meander along the creek, eventually reaching another bridge crossing at about 1.5 miles.

After this bridge, you'll reach a trail junction. Be sure to go right (towards Horn Fork Basin and Bear Lake). Continue to gain altitude through the basin, eventually coming out above treeline with views of Harvard directly ahead.

At the next junction (for Bear Lake), bear right. Continue climbing out of the basin. You'll reach a small shoulder before heading up steeper slopes to the South Ridge. There are several 'trails' in this area, but just follow cairns and keep headed up to the ridge and you'll be fine. Once on the ridge, follow it up and to to the right to the summit. You'll have a couple of options scrambling over the rock to the summit, but nothing more than Class II if you pick your route well.

Enjoy views of the whole Sawatch Range from the top (14,420 feet)!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking

Forest

Lake

River

Scenic

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Backpacking to Kroenke Lake

Starting at the North Cottonwood trailhead just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike will take you 4.5 miles to the lake with about 2750 feet of elevation gain. The hike is mostly mellow and you'll likely see hikers heading up to Horn Fork basin to hike Mt. Harvard and Columbia. Campsites at the lake are easy to come by with many flat areas to pitch a tent. Once you're set up, finding a ...

Summit Mt. Yale

This amazing adventure starts at 9,900 feet and goes up 4,300 feet over the course of a 9.5 mile round trip.You will want to start at the Denny Creek Trailhead. If you are coming from Buena Vista or staying at the Collegiate Peaks Campground you will pass Denny Gulch and then Denny Creek. The parking lot for the trailhead is on your right just past Denny Creek.The first couple of miles consist ...

Photograph Cottonwood Lake, CO

Wherever you are in Colorado, turn your route towards Buena Vista in South West Colorado - you will not be disappointed. To start, Buena Vista is a really cool town with great places to eat and visit. So make sure you check out the city before heading up Cottonwood Pass. When you are ready to head into the mountains, hop on Buena Vista's Main Street or Hw 306 up Cottonwood Pass. Continue for ab...

Ptarmigan Lake near Buena Vista

When you begin the trail, make sure to choose the correct trailhead from the parking lot (located on the south side of the lot to the left, NOT behind the bathroom). From there, begin a moderate climb through a shaded fir forest to the tree line. Emerge in a meadow at a pond and the lower lake, framed by towering peaks. This is a great spot for a picnic or for camping overnight (*please be sur...

Take in the Views on Cottonwood Pass

Starting in the town of Buena Vista, head west on E Main Street until it turns into State Highway 306. After about 40 minutes of driving and some winding roads the Continental Divide sign welcomes you to a gravel parking lot. You can get out and hike as you please, but the view from the parking lot alone is more than worth the drive.Note: The pass in only open from late spring until early fall ...

Hike to Lost Lake

This Trail starts at about 11,200 feet right before the top of cottonwood pass. The trailhead starts at the LAST pull-off before you reach the top of the pass, so if you reach the top, you've gone too far. The hike isn't a super difficult one, but you will go through numerous streams and flooded meadows (depending on the time of year). The view from the top looks straight down the valley and fr...