Hike Times:
trailhead - Princeton summit 3.5 hrs
return to trailhead 3.0 hrs

Total Round
Trip
~6.5 hrs


2.5 out of 5 (distance)
Difficulty Rating:
3.0 out of 5.


elevation profile
Elevation Profile
Merriam Creek


NW Face via Como Road
Trail Map
Merriam Creek


Nearby Civilization:
Salida
Buena Vista


.:Getting to the trailhead:.
The shortest route to get to the trailhead for Princeton is to drive US-285 SW from Denver to the T-intersection with US 24 at Johnson Village. Turn south on US 24 for 6 miles until you're just past the tiny berg of Nathrop, and then look for the turnoff for the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs road, also Chaffee County Road 162 (very well signed). From the turnoff, drive about 4.4 miles to the junction with Chaffee County 321. Turn right on 321 and drive 1.3 miles, the turn left on CR 322. After 0.9 miles is the parking area for 2wd cars. 4x4s can bear right and continue up the Mount Princeton road a little over 3 miles to ample parking near the prominent radio towers. There is additonal parking for about a dozen vehicles in ones and twos along the road for a half-mile or so higher up. After that the parking runs out, along with the chance to turn around.
.:The trail:.


.:Trip Report:.

No trip report for this climb.

Mount Princeton
From just off US 285, south of Buena Vista

Trail above treeline
Once above treeline and off the road, the trail into the basin below Princeton is quite obvious

On Princeton's SE Ridge
Looking back from the ridge, as other climbers scramble on the loose scree

Da summit
Good to be back here after so long!

Mount Antero
Directly south of Princeton, the neighboring 14er Mount Antero looks close enough to touch!

Group descent
Climbers all pick their way off the summit, looking for a gentle line...which wasn't anywhere to be found!