チャフィー郡の天然記念物・トップ20

Lake Ann is an amazing alpine lake just below Lake Ann Pass. It sits above treeline and there a just a few spots to pitch a tent that are kind of sheltered. You can pitch next to a small stream in a ditch or hike a little further along the south shore towards a rocky incline with some trees to find suitable spots to spend the night.

Of the two Buffalo Peaks, East Buffalo is the shortest at 13,300 feet. That being said, it also has the tougher slopes. Both peaks require some alpine route finding and class 2 scrambling, but the ascent/descent for East Buffalo is a little rockier. This is why a proposed loop for both peaks goes up East Buffalo and down West Buffalo.

At 13,326 feet, West Buffalo is just barely the highest of the two peaks. The ridge walk between the two summits is never more intricate than class 2 moves but does require some route finding and boulder hopping. Not a lot of running happens on the peaks or the ridge, but the lower trails offer awesome singletrack. The views from the top of West Buffalo Peak gives you the eagle's eye over all the land nearby. Across the valley you will be able to see a number of 14ers in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and to the east you can see Pikes Peak (on a clear day).

Ptarmigan Lake is a very popular alpine lake in San Isabel National Forest. Because the lake sits above 12,100 feet, it often stays snowed in and frozen until June or July. The main trailhead used to access the lake is located just off of Cottonwood Pass Road, making it a popular spot among locals and visitors.

Mount Princeton is an often underrated 14er in terms of difficulty. At 14,196 feet, Mount Princeton is located in the heart of the Sawatch Range and is one of the rockiest peaks in the range. The final two miles up to the peak heavily consists of talus hopping and steep scree hiking. There is not much exposure, but making progress on this peak is tedious. The views from the top are great, like any other Colorado 14er. Don't plan to make up a lot of time on the initial downhill from the peak (or along the ridge until you hit the road). The talus and scree move underfoot a bit, and it's easy to fall through some of the cracks.

Mount Harvard is the highest mountain in all the Collegiate Peaks at 14,421 feet. Its steep, rocky slopes are similar to that of many Sawatch 14ers, but the high alpine pools and vegetation make it one of the greener high summits. This mountain can be easily paired with the nearby 14er Mount Columbia, but this is a long, tedious traverse. Don't plan to be running a lot after 13,000 feet. With that being said, the lower elevation miles in the basin are great for running when they aren't covered in snow.

At 14,203 feet tall, Mount Belford is one of three 14ers attainable from the Missouri Gulch Trailhead. The mountain is infamous for its steep switchbacks traveling up it's northwest slopes. It is the 19th highest peak in Colorado, and the views from the top are special, sharing the high elevation with many nearby high peaks. It's easy for this "run" to turn into a slow walk as you come up the switchbacks, but it's almost impossible not to run down the mountain with how steep the trail gets.

Elkhead Pass serves as the highpoint on Missouri Gulch Trail and tops out at 13,220 feet. It is one of the highest mountain passes in the state and sits just below the east ridge of Missouri Mountain. Elkhead Pass is sometimes considered the heart of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, as it links together many mountains and drainages in the range.