Hike Courthouse Mountain Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forest, CO

Aug 14, 2023 — 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.