Mt. Columbia

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is not friendly. While the bottom isn't steep, it's incredibly rocky. While the middle isn't rocky, it's incredibly steep. The last bit to the summit is runnable, but at 13,600 ft and up, you'd better have acclimated prior to your run!

As the west slopes of Mt. Columbia come into view, head right towards a boulder field, leaving the Horn Fork Basin Trail.

Run up a small hill out of the forest, continuing up a short gully to the left of the boulder field at about 11,800 ft. Cross the small boulder field, angling uphill and to the right. Avoid a set of cliffs, creating your own switchbacks through the rocks. Continue to the left up steep, grassy slopes toward the shoulder of Mt. Columbia.

The trail here is vague, but if you continue up the ridge toward Columbia's visible summit you can't get lost. Angle to the left, reaching a rockier summit ridge at about 13,600 ft. From here, the trail is more obvious and the grade less steep (as seen on the elevation profile). Continue about a half mile along the ridge to reach the summit of Mt. Columbia.

Starting near treeline, there are plenty of wildflowers throughout this ascent, with marmots and pika scurrying along the rocks.