Class 1 3.4 miles 1400 gain 1-2 hr Loop Jun 28, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

James Peak GPX Track

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The trailhead we started at is the large parking lot used for the ski resort at the southern base of James Peak. As you'll see on the attached map, we made this hike into a loop. We initially planned to ascend via the longer, western route directly along the south ridge. However, multiple "no trespassing signs" prevented us from feeling comfortable doing so on the way up. On the way back we decided to just go for it and were able to avoid all signs by sticking to the ski slopes instead of the dirt road, but I'll go ahead and assume the signage and private property might change over time, so chosing your hike route is at your discretion.

Our ascent route also avoided the private property, but was much steeper and followed a faint social trail rather than the obvious dirt road system. We headed to the northern end of the parking lot and started up the slope, some light bushwhacking through very low foliage until a trail seemed to materialize. It wasn't easy to follow at times, but it was a short-lived ascent to the ridge above. Once on the ridge, we headed west/northwest and side-hilled on an animal trail to get to the south ridge of James Peak. From here a trail led to the summit.

On our way back we decided to just take the road option we skipped on the ascent, passing over a minor summit called Cobabe Peak along the way. The dirt road led south, then east through a small grouping of cabins, which is where we located the option I mentioned earlier that didn't pass any "no trespassing signs".

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
James Peak
9421 ft
2261 rise
2
Cobabe Peak
9004 ft
124 rise

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At the north end of the parking lot. Following the road would result in a "no trespassing" sign. Instead, we headed toward the center of this photo through some light bushwhacking.
At the north end of the parking lot. Following the road would result in a "no trespassing" sign. Instead, we headed toward the center of this photo through some light bushwhacking.
Easy off-trail hiking.
Easy off-trail hiking.
View back toward the parking lot (far right) as we made our way up the slope.
View back toward the parking lot (far right) as we made our way up the slope.
We encountered a social trail around halfway up.
We encountered a social trail around halfway up.
View back on the social trail. The trailhead is just above Austin, obscured by trees.
View back on the social trail. The trailhead is just above Austin, obscured by trees.
Along the social trail, headed to the ridge above.
Along the social trail, headed to the ridge above.
We got to the ridge. This is a view toward James Peak. We headed to the left in this photo and followed an animal trail as it side-hilled below Cobabe Peak.
We got to the ridge. This is a view toward James Peak. We headed to the left in this photo and followed an animal trail as it side-hilled below Cobabe Peak.
Along an animal trail.
Along an animal trail.
James Peak becomes visible.
James Peak becomes visible.
Along an obvious trail to the summit.
Along an obvious trail to the summit.
View back, Cobabe Peak on the right. We came up from the ridge in the center of this photo.
View back, Cobabe Peak on the right. We came up from the ridge in the center of this photo.
Ascending to James Peak.
Ascending to James Peak.
Another shot back, Cobabe Peak center.
Another shot back, Cobabe Peak center.
James Peak summit, view north.
James Peak summit, view north.
Close-up toward Pineview Reservoir and Eyrie Peak to the southwest.
Close-up toward Pineview Reservoir and Eyrie Peak to the southwest.
Back along the trail, headed up to Cobabe Peak.
Back along the trail, headed up to Cobabe Peak.
Cobabe Peak, view back toward James Peak.
Cobabe Peak, view back toward James Peak.
We descended on an easy dirt road.
We descended on an easy dirt road.
View back toward Cobabe Peak (right) and James Peak (left).
View back toward Cobabe Peak (right) and James Peak (left).
Descending.
Descending.
Approaching the houses that had "private property" posted.
Approaching the houses that had "private property" posted.
Just before leaving the dirt road to hike along an unmarked ski slope back to the parking lot.
Just before leaving the dirt road to hike along an unmarked ski slope back to the parking lot.

Hire me or show me some love!

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!