Class 2 3.9 miles 1800 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Aug 14, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Courthouse Mountain GPX Track

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Courthouse Mountain is a huge hunk of volcanic glory along the Cimarron Ridge easily seen from Delta CO below. It's been featured in movies and serves as one of many icons representing the San Juan Mountains. Even though I'm pretty psyched on reaching as many 13ers as I can, I always have time for a 12er like this one. It's accessed most easily by using a spur trail that diverges from the official Courthouse Trail. The Courthouse Trail begins far below to the west and ends at the trailhead where I started within the West Fork Cimarron River drainage. Rather than start at the lower trailhead, I figured I'd save myself the forest miles and begin at the upper one, which is reachable by any vehicle.

The trail climbs steeply through the forest, switchbacking only occasionally. I was surprised at the unrelenting grade, since this is a well-maintained and official trail. I even passed two parties who each decided to turn around well before the summit due to the steepness. There are a few glimpses toward the surrounding peaks of the Cimarron Range, but until I reached the south ridge of Courthouse Mountain there wasn't much of note aside from the bright green ferns on the forest floor. I kept right at a junction when I reached the ridge, leaving the Courthouse Trail in order to access the peak.

Some flatter forest walking led me to a delightful overlook toward the steep cliffs on the south side of the summit, a truly impressive sight. The trail switchbacks for a bit through a meadow, a few stray pinnacles hoodoos adding a mystical vibe. I got my first look toward the famous Chimney Rock to the north, a technical climb that I can only assume has dangerously loose rock. The trail steepens as it leaves the meadowsand becomes eroded, climbing again through forest where using large tree roots helped me keep foot traction on the dirt incline. Ahead was the bright white volcanic last few hundred feet to the summit.

Leaving the trees behind, I started up a Class 2 portion that wasn't exposed, but felt like it was due to the steepness below. The trail pops in for small sections, particularly noticeable through small pockets of tundra. The route next heads through a small boulder field, keeping right and ascending using what seems to be the path of least resistance. Mostly Class 2 scrambling, there are a couple of short Class 2+ moves. Becoming wildly eroded, the trail in the upper reaches is really more of a trench, a bit dangerous since the dirt within is steep and loose. This is especially true for the last hundred feet or so to the summit block. Class 2+ got me to the high point, where I spent some time enjoying the immense views, especially toward Chimney Rock to the south and Precipice Peak across the valley.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Courthouse Mountain
12165 ft
1189 rise

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Starting from the Courthouse Trailhead.
Starting from the Courthouse Trailhead.
The trail climbs steeply through the forest.
The trail climbs steeply through the forest.
A switchback in the trail to illustrate the steepness.
A switchback in the trail to illustrate the steepness.
Ascending along the Courthouse Trail.
Ascending along the Courthouse Trail.
View back, Precipice Peak poking through the trees.
View back, Precipice Peak poking through the trees.
Image 5 from gallery
A junction. Leave the Courthouse Trail to head toward the summit, straight ahead in this photo.
A junction. Leave the Courthouse Trail to head toward the summit, straight ahead in this photo.
Flatter forested walking for a bit.
Flatter forested walking for a bit.
An overlook toward Courthouse Mountain's bulk above.
An overlook toward Courthouse Mountain's bulk above.
The trail switchbacks for a bit through a small meadow.
The trail switchbacks for a bit through a small meadow.
Ascending toward pretty pinnacles along the steep slope.
Ascending toward pretty pinnacles along the steep slope.
Courthouse Mountain seen ahead, while hiking up the switchbacks.
Courthouse Mountain seen ahead, while hiking up the switchbacks.
View back, more peaks of the Cimarrons seen in the distance.
View back, more peaks of the Cimarrons seen in the distance.
An overlook north. Chimney Rock seen left of center.
An overlook north. Chimney Rock seen left of center.
The trail steepens and becomes very eroded.
The trail steepens and becomes very eroded.
Ascending away from the grassy slope and up to the volcanic portion of the hike.
Ascending away from the grassy slope and up to the volcanic portion of the hike.
View back down the first Class 2 portion, just after leaving the trees.
View back down the first Class 2 portion, just after leaving the trees.
A wider shot back. I came up from the center. Precipice Peak seen on the right.
A wider shot back. I came up from the center. Precipice Peak seen on the right.
The trail re-materializes for portions. The route leads toward the large stacked boulders right of center.
The trail re-materializes for portions. The route leads toward the large stacked boulders right of center.
Approaching the large boulders, and the social trail keeps right of them.
Approaching the large boulders, and the social trail keeps right of them.
Ascending on steeper Class 2/2+.
Ascending on steeper Class 2/2+.
View back, Chimney Rock seen top left.
View back, Chimney Rock seen top left.
Gorgeous views as I ascend Courthouse Mountain. The trail generally keeps to the tundra when available, but there are short sections of talus hopping.
Gorgeous views as I ascend Courthouse Mountain. The trail generally keeps to the tundra when available, but there are short sections of talus hopping.
Final hundred feet to the summit, extremely eroded and now forming a pretty deep trench.
Final hundred feet to the summit, extremely eroded and now forming a pretty deep trench.
View back down just below the summit block.
View back down just below the summit block.
Courthouse Mountain summit block just ahead (Class 2/2+), view north. Chimney Rock seen right.
Courthouse Mountain summit block just ahead (Class 2/2+), view north. Chimney Rock seen right.
Courthouse Mountain summit, view toward Wetterhorn Basin. Dunsinane Mountain and Precipice Peak on the left, Coxcomb Peak center.
Courthouse Mountain summit, view toward Wetterhorn Basin. Dunsinane Mountain and Precipice Peak on the left, Coxcomb Peak center.
Close-up toward Chimney Rock.
Close-up toward Chimney Rock.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!