The ridgeline off of Mt. Princeton is an incredible position! Find the right line off to keep your day Type 2, then make your way to the Colorado Trail for a well-earned rest of your adrenal system. We’ll be taking Yale’s East Ridge route to the summit of Mt. Yale for excellent views!
Nolan’s 14 Line Stats
- 14.77 miles
- +5727′
- -5742′
Nolan’s 14 Line
From the summit of Mt. Princeton, descend by following a northeast-facing ridge off of Mt. Princeton (38.75529,-106.23829) down to an key old mining road, until that road reaches the Colorado Trail (38.76653,-106.23103). This mining road takes you close to Maxwell Creek, a fairly dependable seasonal water source (38.77221,-106.21385).
Follow the Colorado Trail across CR 306 and through to the Avalanche TH. Here, the trail climbs up to a high point of almost 12,000′. At this point (38.84754,-106.28215), leave the trail and hike west up Mt. Yale’s East Ridge (14ers.com route description). Although only rated Class 2, I would call this route one of the more harder Class 2 14er routes.
Several shortcuts can be taken advantage to those looking for more of an aggressive line:
Once the Colorado Trail crosses CR 344, take a right onto CR 344 heading north, then take a left onto CR 306 heading west and walk this busy road to the Avalanche TH.
Once back on the Colorado Trail after the Avalanche TH, you can shortcut the East Ridge route to the summit of Mount Yale by leaving the Colorado Trail near Hughes Creek heading northwest and taking a very steep subsidiary southeast facing ridge to the main east ridge of Mt. Yale. A far bit of steep bushwhacking and route finding will greet you, so put on your misadventure pants and be prepared for the unexpected.
Slowlans Alternative
Descending Mt. Princeton
If more ridgeline walking/aspen tree bushwhacking is not to your liking, take the standard, east slopes route off Mt. Princeton (14ers route description). This route isn’t the most pleasant of all the 14er routes, as the east slopes are somewhat loose (more annoying than dangerous). The route will turn from a trail through the talus, into a dirt road near treeline, before hooking back up to the Colorado Trail. Take the Colorado Trail north and enter back onto the main Nolan’s 14 line at Maxwell Creek (38.77221,-106.21385).
Ascending Mt. Yale
When the Colorado Trail crosses CR 306 (road), take CR 306 west to the Denny Creek TH. Take the standard Southwest Slopes route up Mt. Yale (14ers.com route description). This is an easier route than the East Ridge route.
Water
Water is first available on Maxwell Creek, near where you descend the ridgeline and rejoin the Colorado Trail (38.77221,-106.21385). There may well be several seasonally flowing creeks along the Colorado Trail towards CR 306.
Water is available at South Cottonwood Creek on the Colorado Trail, before it goes across CR 306 (38.80087,-106.24520). There should be other sources nearby as well.
Water should be available at the very beginning of the East Ridge route of Yale, just a few hundred feet after the parking lot for Avalanche Gulch (38.81453,-106.27936).
Water again may be available on the Colorado Trail at a seasonal creek that feeds into the main Hughes Creek as it parallels close to the Colorado Trail itself (38.82965,-106.28127).
Water may not be available again until after you descend Mt. Yale, and reach North Cottonwood Creek, on your way to Mt. Columbia (38.87060,-106.29330).
Camping
Dispersed camping can be found all along the Colorado Trail, with the easier-to-find spots more near to where the Colorado Trail parallels CR 306 (38.80317,-106.23438).
A dry, dispersed campsite can also be found at the start of the East Ridge route up Mt. Yale, where then route branches off from the Colorado Trail (38.84754,-106.28215).
Bailing/Resupply
The closest town in the line between Mt. Princeton and Mt. Yale is Buena Vista. Hitching from CR 306 east will bring you right into town – CR 306 itself will turn into main street. Buena Vista has many of the luxuries of a trail town including grocery stores, restaurants, spirits, a gear shop, post office, whiskey distillery and motels to sleep off your hangover.
From Mount Princeton
From the summit of Mount Princeton, the most expedient route off would be to take the standard east slopes route. The main Nolan’s 14 route follows a long ridgeline which is not where you want to be in a thunder/lightning storm. Return to the main route exactly as if you were taking the Slowlans alternative, which also uses the standard east slopes route for descent.
From Mt. Yale
No matter the route, simply reversing your route down to CR 306 would be the wisest choice if bailing climbing up Mt. Yale. The Nolan’s 14 line down Mt. Yale is highly exposed above treeline, and descending into the valley floor below consists of descending down a particularly steep avalanche chute.
Skipping Mt. Yale
From the Colorado Trail/CR 306, continue north of the Colorado Trail to the Silver Creek TH (38.86559,-106.24125). Hike west on CR 365 for about a mile to the North Cottonwood Creek TH (38.87065,-106.26509). Pick up the main Nolan’s 14 line near the Horn Fork Basin and Kroenke Lake trail junction (38.87114,-106.29268).