Mt. Yale Trip Report 06/06/2026

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Mt. Yale - 14,200 feet
Date Posted	06/06/2026
Date Climbed	05/29/2026
Author	TamboRambo7

Marmots and cocky Ravens
Beautiful day. Trail is one of the most well marked and easy to follow I have done. Left at 7 and back to car at 12:30. First 3 and a half miles is a breeze and did not slow down till we hit the treeline. Summitted around 10:30. Did not spend too much time at the top because there was a large angry cloud approaching and wanted to get down to treeline before it came for us! Jogged some of the downhill to make it go faster. We both took 2 liters and only drank about half. This was probably because it was chilly and I drank about a liter on the drive up from Buena vista. The weather was perfect to cool us off as we made our way to the top. Toward the top (last 300 -500 feet) pay attention to the cairns which keep you on the frontside of the mountain, otherwise you find yourself doing class 3 bouldering/scrambling. No crampons needed. Minor post-holing. A fat little marmot ran ahead of us and summited first. Saw a few little picas in the snow. A little bit of bouldering and exposure at the top but overall not bad. (I totally have a fear of heights lol ) Some patches of ice but easily navigable by stepping in other footprints as you make your way the last 1,000 or so feet. There was a raven at the top and I could have sworn it was the reincarnation of Dean Potter as he edged toward the cliff and jumped and glided over the peaks Definitely feel the altitude after 13,000 but I am coming from sea level. The view of the other collegiates from the top is awesome. This is a great day hike and would recommend as a great first ascent for those who are not great at trail finding because it is so well marked. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Marmots and cocky Ravens

Beautiful day. Trail is one of the most well marked and easy to follow I have done. Left at 7 and back to car at 12:30. First 3 and a half miles is a breeze and did not slow down till we hit the treeline. Summitted around 10:30. Did not spend too much time at the top because there was a large angry cloud approaching and wanted to get down to treeline before it came for us! Jogged some of the downhill to make it go faster. We both took 2 liters and only drank about half. This was probably because it was chilly and I drank about a liter on the drive up from Buena vista. The weather was perfect to cool us off as we made our way to the top. Toward the top (last 300 -500 feet) pay attention to the cairns which keep you on the frontside of the mountain, otherwise you find yourself doing class 3 bouldering/scrambling. No crampons needed. Minor post-holing. A fat little marmot ran ahead of us and summited first. Saw a few little picas in the snow.

A little bit of bouldering and exposure at the top but overall not bad. (I totally have a fear of heights lol ) Some patches of ice but easily navigable by stepping in other footprints as you make your way the last 1,000 or so feet. There was a raven at the top and I could have sworn it was the reincarnation of Dean Potter as he edged toward the cliff and jumped and glided over the peaks

Definitely feel the altitude after 13,000 but I am coming from sea level. The view of the other collegiates from the top is awesome. This is a great day hike and would recommend as a great first ascent for those who are not great at trail finding because it is so well marked.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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