From the trailhead parking, walk up the road a short distance and turn right to begin hiking up the Colorado Trail -
1 and
2. Shortly after the second switchback, locate the start of your southeast ridge trail, on the left -
3. It's easy to miss and at 9,950', 50yds before the Colorado trail makes a turn to the right. Since this is not the standard route on Columbia, it doesn't see a lot of hikers so don't expect a well-beaten path. However, you'll likely find a lot of small cairns along the way. Grind up through the forest (
4) as you follow the lower portions of Columbia's southeast ridge. As you hike higher, the terrain gets rockier. Near 11,460', the faint trail will all but dissapear at a small overlook on the ridge -
5.
Turn right, bushwhack through some trees and pass a rock outcrop to reach a clearing, above 11,600' -
6. Cross the clearing and hike to the top of Point 12,042'. At the top, you'll notice a stand of dead trees to your left and a whole lot of southeast ridge ahead -
7 and
8. Drop left and continue along the ridge as it turns north/northwest -
9. Continue toward the next point on the ridge and avoid any temptation to take a shortcut across the left side -
10. From the top of this ~12,700-foot point, the ridge swings left -
11. Drop 100 feet to reach a convoluted saddle -
12. The next major point on the ridge is Point 13,298', which is off in the distance. Follow the left side of the ridge and ascend to 12,800' -
13 and
14. Next, begin climbing toward Point 13,298' -
15. You can't see the top of it from here but it eventually comes into view once you gain some ground -
16.
From Point 13,298', you have a great view of the remaining route and the upper end of Three Elk Basin -
17. Gain the next point to reach easier terrain, above 13,400' -
18 and
19. Walk to another, minor point which is shown on most topographical maps as Point 13,544' -
20. Continue to yet another point where the ridge begins to curve north toward the summit -
21. Shortly after this point, you'll intersect Columbia's standard, west slopes trail that comes up from the left. Stay near the ridge crest and continue toward the summit that's 1/2 mile away -
22. With the remaining route now in view, hike north along the ridge over more bumps -
23. Near 13,800', reach a point where you can once again see the summit, beyond a flat section -
24 and
25. Pass between two rock piles and gain the summit -
26 and
27. On your descent, be sure to stay on your ascent route all the way back down the southeast ridge -
28.
GPX Track
