Mt. Columbia Trip Report 09/26/2006

Peak(s):	Mt. Columbia - 14,075 feet
Date Posted:	09/26/2006
Date Climbed:	09/24/2006
Author:	JDNaumann

Columbia - Without Harvard - In the Snow
There was a heavy snow 18 hours before our hike which really affected the hike. This hike was to summit Columbia by itself as we had already hiked Harvard the previous year. The road to the trailhead is fine for any 4x4 and a small car could have made it. There was very little snow on the road. The first 3+ miles are on a very easy trail. There is only one switchback at about the 2 mile mark which we missed in about 12" of snow. The cutoff trail to Columbia off the main N Cottenwood Creek trail was impossible to find in the snow. There are several gaps in the trees, any of which could have been that trail. We eventually realized we missed the cutoff and went cross country via the TOPO map to find the ‘gully‘ discussed in the Columbia route description. The hike from 11‘500‘ to 13,700‘ was loose, hard, and very ‘scrambly‘. With the snow making it difficult to see the rocks, this was a very difficult section with lots of sliding backwards. Once on the ridge at 13,700‘ it was a straightforward scramble along the ridge. Pushing through 4‘ of snow in some spots was very hard work. This last section was only made difficult by the snow hiding the rocks so you often didn‘t know if you were going to step onto a rock or fall several feet deep into the snow between rocks. The descent wasn‘t much easier until we finally got back to the main trail at 11,500‘. Since there was so much snow and such an ugly, loose scree field, it was often easier to push your way though the heavy snow areas where you didn‘t get hurt when/if you fell. The areas with only a 4" to 12" snow covering were very tricky since you couldn‘t see the solid rocks. Lots of sliding and falling on our backside in this area. From the main trail at 11,500‘, it was just a wet slog down the snow-covered trail. This 11.5 mile hike took us 11 hours. Without the snow factor, I would guess we would have made it in about 7 hours. The three of us were pretty shattered at the end. Having said that, it is a great memory since we were able to persevere. For anyone planning winter hikes of these 14ers, my only comment is to be prepared with all the proper equipment including waterproof gear, gaiters, crampons, etc. And, as always, use your common sense and be safe!

Columbia - Without Harvard - In the Snow

There was a heavy snow 18 hours before our hike which really affected the hike. This hike was to summit Columbia by itself as we had already hiked Harvard the previous year.

The road to the trailhead is fine for any 4x4 and a small car could have made it. There was very little snow on the road.

The first 3+ miles are on a very easy trail. There is only one switchback at about the 2 mile mark which we missed in about 12" of snow. The cutoff trail to Columbia off the main N Cottenwood Creek trail was impossible to find in the snow. There are several gaps in the trees, any of which could have been that trail. We eventually realized we missed the cutoff and went cross country via the TOPO map to find the ‘gully‘ discussed in the Columbia route description. The hike from 11‘500‘ to 13,700‘ was loose, hard, and very ‘scrambly‘. With the snow making it difficult to see the rocks, this was a very difficult section with lots of sliding backwards. Once on the ridge at 13,700‘ it was a straightforward scramble along the ridge. Pushing through 4‘ of snow in some spots was very hard work. This last section was only made difficult by the snow hiding the rocks so you often didn‘t know if you were going to step onto a rock or fall several feet deep into the snow between rocks.

The descent wasn‘t much easier until we finally got back to the main trail at 11,500‘. Since there was so much snow and such an ugly, loose scree field, it was often easier to push your way though the heavy snow areas where you didn‘t get hurt when/if you fell. The areas with only a 4" to 12" snow covering were very tricky since you couldn‘t see the solid rocks. Lots of sliding and falling on our backside in this area.

From the main trail at 11,500‘, it was just a wet slog down the snow-covered trail.

This 11.5 mile hike took us 11 hours. Without the snow factor, I would guess we would have made it in about 7 hours. The three of us were pretty shattered at the end. Having said that, it is a great memory since we were able to persevere.

For anyone planning winter hikes of these 14ers, my only comment is to be prepared with all the proper equipment including waterproof gear, gaiters, crampons, etc. And, as always, use your common sense and be safe!

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