Tuesday, September 10th, 2024
CO 14ers: 34 of 53
Distance RT: 7 miles
Elevation gain/loss: 4000′
Starting Elevation: 8,900′
Summit: 14,200′
Rank: 19 of 53
Location: Sawatch Range, near Buena Vista
Route: East Slopes, Class 2
Mt Princeton is a massive and attention-commanding peak. It had been on my short list for a long time… I actually can’t believe it took me so long to finally hike it. I’d been staring at it since I was a little kid, on my way to ski at Monarch. My family also went to the hot springs at its base on numerous occasions. I remember being mesmerized by it’s prominence. I guess I simply saved the best of the Collegiates for last.
I ‘car-rested’ at the trailhead overnight, which was surprisingly one of the most quiet yet. Mine was the only car, until around 5 am when a few others started to arrive. I parked at the very lowest lot, certain that my electric rental car wouldn’t do well on the narrow 4WD road. This meant I needed to walk the road over 4 miles to where the trail began. It certainly pays to have a 4WD…or be good at hitching.
I’d only gone a mile or so up when a jeep came along and stopped to offer a ride. I didn’t even stick out my thumb, but the guy was very aware of what a benefit he could be to fellow hikers. In fact, this was Rich’s LAST Colorado 14er! I couldn’t believe my luck! Not only did I get a ride, saving me about a mile, I also gained a great companion! Up to this point, the hike was feeling like a bit of a chore. I was tired and the route seemed a bit dull on paper. But getting to hike with Rich for his crowning achievement turned it into a really special hike for both of us.
The ascent was pretty straightforward, with a traverse of the peak’s basin and final climb up the ridge. It was all scree and boulders, with bits of formed trail and several different lines. There was a lot of remnant mining activity, hence the various trails. I went a bit slower than usual, but I wasn’t in a hurry and I also deserved an easy pace after the day before. I wanted to watch Rich gain the final summit in his count, just to get a taste of such an accomplishment. He was obviously very happy and relieved.
On the way up, I had time to ask Rich why he’d saved Mt Princeton for his last. The choice initially didn’t make sense to me. But the answer was simple: reserve an easy one so that you can enjoy it! Doing, say, Capitol as your last 14er might mean you’re stressing out the whole time and too nervous about the return hike to even enjoy a glass of bubbly. This made perfect sense. I then contemplated how I’d mostly been knocking out all the easy ones so far. If I was ever going to complete all the CO 14ers, which remaining one should I save? I didn’t yet have an answer.
The celebration at the top was fun, complete with a small bottle of champagne. There were only 2 other guys, so the 4 of us toasted the amazing views and acheivements. It seemed like just the perfect audience of strangers, sharing a common goal. While Princeton might not be the most challenging or exciting climb of the 14ers, I’d argue that it offers one of the best vantages. I could see so many familiar places and other 14ers. This included most of the front range, several 14ers in the San Juans, and all the ones in the surrounding Sawatch, Elk, and Mosquito ranges. How very cool. Plus, the aspens were really starting to pop in the valleys below.
The clouds were starting to gather earlier this day, so we couldn’t celebrate forever. Heading down, I got ahead and figured I’d just walk the road until someone with a vehicle came along. I was in a very good mood and the walking came easy. I made it quite a ways before one of the guys came by in his truck. He gave me a ride the rest of the few miles to my car and it was fun to chat with him. His job was giving mine tours near Tombstone, AZ. Just has he dropped me off, Rich drove by and it was nice to say a final goodby and congrats. I made so many single-serving friends hiking 14ers, kind of like thru-hiking. I wish I’d gotten Rich’s contact so I could share some of my pictures. All I recall is that he lived near Las Vegas, NV and drove a white jeep.
It was finally time to take a few days off from hiking 14ers. My other goal for this trip was to visit my mom in Canon City, which is why I’d been working my way south. On the way, I also visited Copenhagen, a CDT 19 alumni who now ran a hiker hostel outside of Salida called Hayduke’s Rest. Not only was he an alumni, I’d attending his trail wedding in Green Lakes Campground, WY. While there, I learned that CDT SOBO Trail Daze was taking place in Leadville the next weekend. This gave me new inspiration to come back to settle my score with Mt Holly Cross. I also had my sights set on some of the 14ers in the San Juans and a possible reunion with 2 hiking buddies from the summer…hint, both their names start with ‘A’. I looked forward to a whole lot more hikertrash fun.