West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike
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West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike
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The West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike is a short but difficult adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you up a steep trail for stunning views of the surrounding alpine landscape. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through a dense stretch of forest, before traversing a rocky ridgeline and doing some light scrambling on the way to the summit. Although the trailhead is fairly remote, the road itself is in great shape and does not require a 4x4 high clearance vehicle, making it accessible to a wide variety of hikers.
Getting there
The trailhead for the West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike can be found at the Wetterhorn Trailhead on County Road H1.
About
| Backcountry Campground | No |
| When to do | June-October |
| Pets allowed | Yes |
| Family friendly | Older Children only |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | Moderate |
| Route Type | Out and back |
West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike
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West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike Description
It may be a fairly short route, but the West Fork to Courthouse Mountain Hike is certainly not a trail to underestimate. This fun excursion will see you gain 1736ft of elevation through its short distance, meaning you will definitely need to put a good workout in to be rewarded with the breathtaking views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains.
Setting out from the trailhead, you will head to the southwest and begin immediately climbing uphill through serene forests and intermittent meadows. Eventually, you will push yourself up onto the ridge and turn your attention to the north for the final ascent of the summit.
Here, you will traverse the ridge and scramble through some rocky terrain, before reaching the top of Courthouse Mountain for incredible views of the Colorado wilderness. After taking in the stunning scenery, carefully head back down the mountain along the same route to return to the trailhead.
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