Colorado 14ers: Mount Princeton

Mount Princeton

Distance: 6.90 mi	Points: 2800	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

"Tigger Peak"

Location: 38.746651, -106.211929
The unofficial name of the 13,330-foot peak southeast of Princeton. (The Princeton mascot is the tiger.) The road turns south at the bend ahead, and the trail leaves the road in a northerly direction. ©Timm Paxson

4WD road that leads to the trail

Location: 38.744938, -106.204788
©Timm Paxson

Alpine tundra

Location: 38.745605, -106.218407
The trail climbs a ridge of "Tigger Peak" from the south then bends to the west where the summit of Princeton can be seen. Part of the trail can be seen center left of the photo. ©Timm Paxson

Looking down from the summit

Location: 38.748272, -106.241646
©Timm Paxson

Rocky slopes

Location: 38.744652, -106.223930
The trail abruptly leaves the tundra zone and the rest of the climb is through rocks. ©Timm Paxson

Stone steps

Location: 38.744461, -106.215553
A cairn and steps mark the trail's beginning. Note that about 100 feet down the road from this point, people have created a shortcut. Use this path instead. ©Timm Paxson

Summit views

Location: 38.749130, -106.242500
©Timm Paxson

The ridge

Location: 38.743702, -106.231262
The ridge climb is through rocks interspersed with hints of a trail. ©Timm Paxson

The summit pyramid

Location: 38.748463, -106.241737
Looking up at the summit. ©Timm Paxson

Tigger Peak and the Arkansas River Valley

Location: 38.743416, -106.230499
Looking east down the trail from the ridge. "Tigger Peak" is on the right hand side of the photo. The Arkansas River valley is in the background. ©Timm Paxson

Trail views

Location: 38.744652, -106.229736
The trail continues across the rock to an abandoned mine at 13,100 feet. ©Timm Paxson

PTN001

Location: 38.738571, -106.179115
From the parking area, follow 4WD road for 3.2 mi. to upper parking area

PTN002

Location: 38.745285, -106.200592
Road swings to the W; pass 4WD parking

PTN003

Location: 38.744823, -106.206398
Pass second 4WD parking area; continue dirt road ascent, climbing through several switchbacks

PTN004

Location: 38.744453, -106.215370
Turn R and leave the road @ jct. marked with a cairn; climb stone steps

PTN005

Location: 38.745811, -106.217049
Head W across alpine tundra; pass an old mine

PTN006

Location: 38.744736, -106.223213
Head W; traverse the rocky slopes below "Tigger Peak"

PTN007

Location: 38.744892, -106.230362
Bear L @ fork marked with cairns to ascend Princeton's SE ridge

PTN008

Location: 38.743744, -106.231064
Turn R on ridge connecting Mt. Princeton and "Tigger Peak" (marked with 2 cairns); pass remains of an old mine

PTN009

Location: 38.744591, -106.234314
Pass remnants from another old mine

PTN010

Location: 38.745377, -106.236198
Head NW, passing a stone wall and an old mine

PTN011

Location: 38.747009, -106.239792
Stay straight @ jct. with trail that enters from the R

PTN012

Location: 38.748367, -106.241646
Final summit push on boulder-covered slopes (only 200 ft. left to climb)

PTN013

Location: 38.749226, -106.242500
Mt. Princeton (14,197 ft.): Summit views into San Isabel National Forest to the N and S. Look SE down the ridge to find "Tigger Peak." Retrace steps to trailhead