Mt. Columbia Trip Report 07/04/2007

Peak(s):	Mt. Columbia - 14,075 feet
Date Posted:	07/04/2007
Date Climbed:	07/04/2007
Author:	Sourdough

Columbia - Three Elk Creek Trailhead
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: This hike surprised me with its long duration, lack of marked trail and difficulty. However, it was worth the significant effort required to make it. It is the path less traveled. We were the only ones on the trail this day. Trailhead: Roach‘s directions are accurate. Forest Service Road 368 is not signed. It is a narrow, bumpy 0.8 miles. Currently, there are many signs for timber sales in the area. Camp sites. There is not much level terrain for tents near the trailhead. We set up above the turn off for the Three Elk Creek Trail. There is a sweet spot up higher on the ridge with views into the valley to the north. Also, there are at least two nice tent sites at the intersection of Three Elk Creek Trail and Colorado Trail. Trail. The Three Elk Trail is obvious if rocky. It gains altitude quickly. All crossings of the creek are clear. If it looks ambiguous, don‘t cross to the other side. We had trouble determining where to leave Three Elk Creek Trail for the ridge to the north. We wound up breaking trail through the willows to the south over boggy ground while heading west. As far as I could tell, there is no trail up the steep slope to the north, nor is there a trail west on the ridge. The "gentle ridge" is not trivial. Lots of rock fields to cross slowed us. Also, falling for the third false summit is a heartbreaker. The entire route is snow-free. Time to summit was 5:30 hours, including a couple of breaks to eat. We continued counterclockwise from the summit around the bowl. Again, no trail is apparent on the ridge. The same comment (above) on rock fields and pinnacles applies. We contoured around some of the bumps on the southeast ridge, but rock fields made progress slow and challenging. Time to descend from summit to trailhead was 3:15 hours. The decent down to Three Elk Creek is steep, occasionally rocky and not trivial. You pick your line make your own trail. Wildlife: We saw the proverbial three elks, deer, marmots, pica, ground squirrels, squirrels. Wildflowers were stunning. CAUTION: Much of this route is on the exposed ridges. There is no place to hide if thunderstorms roll in. Start and finish early on this long hike.

Columbia - Three Elk Creek Trailhead

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: This hike surprised me with its long duration, lack of marked trail and difficulty. However, it was worth the significant effort required to make it. It is the path less traveled. We were the only ones on the trail this day.

Trailhead: Roach‘s directions are accurate. Forest Service Road 368 is not signed. It is a narrow, bumpy 0.8 miles. Currently, there are many signs for timber sales in the area.

Camp sites. There is not much level terrain for tents near the trailhead. We set up above the turn off for the Three Elk Creek Trail. There is a sweet spot up higher on the ridge with views into the valley to the north. Also, there are at least two nice tent sites at the intersection of Three Elk Creek Trail and Colorado Trail.

Trail. The Three Elk Trail is obvious if rocky. It gains altitude quickly. All crossings of the creek are clear. If it looks ambiguous, don‘t cross to the other side.

We had trouble determining where to leave Three Elk Creek Trail for the ridge to the north. We wound up breaking trail through the willows to the south over boggy ground while heading west. As far as I could tell, there is no trail up the steep slope to the north, nor is there a trail west on the ridge. The "gentle ridge" is not trivial. Lots of rock fields to cross slowed us. Also, falling for the third false summit is a heartbreaker. The entire route is snow-free.

Time to summit was 5:30 hours, including a couple of breaks to eat.

We continued counterclockwise from the summit around the bowl. Again, no trail is apparent on the ridge. The same comment (above) on rock fields and pinnacles applies. We contoured around some of the bumps on the southeast ridge, but rock fields made progress slow and challenging.

Time to descend from summit to trailhead was 3:15 hours.

The decent down to Three Elk Creek is steep, occasionally rocky and not trivial. You pick your line make your own trail.

Wildlife: We saw the proverbial three elks, deer, marmots, pica, ground squirrels, squirrels. Wildflowers were stunning.

CAUTION: Much of this route is on the exposed ridges. There is no place to hide if thunderstorms roll in. Start and finish early on this long hike.

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