Photo by @jackbrauer

Mt. Harvard

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

13 mi / 20.9 km

Elevation

14,420 ft

Elevation Gain

4,600 ft

Location

Driving Directions

A Day Above It All: Hiking Mt. Harvard

If you’re looking for one of the best big mountain days in the Buena Vista area, Mt. Harvard delivers. As the third tallest peak in Colorado and a proud member of the Collegiate Peaks lineup, this 14er doesn’t just test your legs—it rewards you with wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and views that stretch clear to forever.

The Hike

The standard route up Mt. Harvard starts from the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead and follows the well-maintained Horn Fork Basin Trail. The first few miles are mellow and shaded, winding through pine forest alongside a burbling creek. It’s a pleasant warm-up before you break out above treeline and enter the wide-open basin.

From there, the climb gets real. The trail stays clear and easy to follow most of the way, but the final mile is a steep, rocky scramble. You’ll gain nearly 4,600 feet of elevation over about 13 miles round trip, so pack plenty of snacks and give yourself time—it’s a long day, but absolutely worth it.

On a clear morning, sunrise over the basin is pure magic, and once you’re on the summit, you’ll see why Mt. Harvard is a favorite. The 360-degree views span the Sawatch Range, with neighboring Mt. Columbia standing tall just to the southeast.

Pro Tips

Start early: Like all 14ers, Mt. Harvard is best done with a pre-dawn start. Afternoon storms roll in fast in the summer.
Watch the weather: No summit is worth getting caught in lightning for.
Dogs: Allowed, but keep in mind the trail gets steep and rocky near the top.
Acclimate: The summit sits at 14,420 feet—make sure you’ve spent a couple days in the high country before going for it.

Getting There

Head west out of Buena Vista on CR 350, then north on CR 365 (also called North Cottonwood Road). The trailhead is about 11 miles from town on a well-graded dirt road and has a decent-sized parking lot, but it fills up early on weekends.

What People Say About Mt. Harvard

Likes

Stunning alpine scenery and wildflowers in the basin
Well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail until the final scramble
One of the most scenic 14er approaches in the Sawatch Range
Less crowded than nearby Mt. Elbert or Mt. Princeton

Dislikes

Long day—plan for 6 to 10 hours depending on pace and breaks
Final summit push involves some light scrambling and route-finding
Parking can fill up quickly on weekends during peak summer

Looking to knock off more 14ers? Mt. Columbia shares much of the same approach and can be linked for an epic loop—though it’s a beast of a day and not recommended for your first.

For those chasing summits, Mt. Harvard is a must. Big views, big effort, and big mountain vibes—all just a short drive from downtown Buena Vista.