Mount Antero

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

While Evans and Pikes are largely considered the only "drive-up" 14ers, Antero comes close. Most capable 4WD vehicles - midsize SUVs and up - can make it to 12,000 ft, with larger vehicles coming close to 13,000. ATVs can make it to around 13,600 ft, where the class 2 singletrack finally begins. All this route entails is a really long hike up a road followed by a 15-minute class 2 jaunt to the summit.

While this hike is really just a road, it's still long and at altitude. Bring plenty of water, food, clothing, and be off the summit early. Fast folks can expect a 6-hour trip, with most taking 8-10.

Since this hike is almost entirely on a road, it makes for a good, albeit busy, trail run.

From the US-285 and 24 junction just south of Buena Vista, drive about 5.5 miles south on 285 before turning right (west) onto Chaffee County Road 262 toward Mt. Princeton. This is a fairly large intersection next to some trees. Drive 12.5 miles on this road. Pass Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and continue. In about 10 miles total, the road turns to dirt. Drive 2.5 more miles and come to the Baldwin Gulch Jeep Road (277) on the left. Most cars will have to park here. This is the beginning of the mapped route. High clearance 4WD vehicles can continue to the creek crossing 3 miles up, and modified vehicles may make it above 13,000 ft.

From the start of the 277 road, start up along the switchbacking road, which is steep for cars but not hikers. In 3 miles, come to a creek crossing at 10,850 ft. The road diverges here - follow signs, turning left and crossing the creek. Continue up a rocky road until you hit a switchbacking section around 12,000 ft. Continue up the switchbacks, still on the road, to reach a ridge at 13,100 ft. Stay left and find the trail to the east of the ridge.

Continue along a flat portion of the road. It begins switchbacking again very shortly, and brings you to the underwhelming summit of Pt 13,800 - a reasonably unnamed 13er. Finally, it's time for some singletrack. There's not much of it. Cross a rocky ridge toward Mt. Antero. It's easiest to stay just to the right of ridge proper - it's flatter and less treacherous. Once across the ridge, continue up some class 2 talus for about 400 ft to reach Mt. Antero's fairly large summit. The views are slightly unique, as there's way more road than on any other Sawatch 14er.

Due to high vehicle traffic, you won't see many animals. There are some wildflowers up high.

Named after Chief Antero of the Ute Tribe, Mt. Antero boasts the highest gem field in the lower 48.