Mount Yale via the Mount Yale East Trail

Ready to take on the demanding feat of hiking Mount Yale via the Mount Yale East Trail? If so, then you are in for a treat! The amazing scenery along the trail and the breathtaking views from the summit are unforgettable. When ascending extreme elevations, it is important that you are acclimated to the area’s altitude before commencing your climb, or consider using a supplemental oxygen tank. Furthermore, this taxing trek demands an experienced hiker and plenty of preparation, making it unsuitable for novice adventurers! Make sure you are properly equipped with water, snacks, trekking poles, and microspikes—and don’t forget to wear layers. Lastly, make sure to depart before dawn to mitigate the chances of getting caught in a dangerous afternoon storm at the exposed summit.

Embark on your excursion up Mount Yale via the Mount Yale East Trail from the Colorado Trail Segment 13 Trailhead. From here, hikers will be guided west by the Colorado Trail through a forested gulch that is intersected by the running waters of Silver Creek. Eventually, you will enter the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness where you will confront a junction. Keep right and you will be diverted onto the Mount Yale Trail. Now above the treeline, you will be ascending the vertiginous terrain through the vibrant alpine tundra, where you will be able to enjoy the views and use them as motivation to summit the dramatic peak.

Revel in the 360-degree vistas of the neighboring snow-capped Collegiate Peaks and admire the grandeur of the vaulted summits. Enjoy the mountain views, rest, and rehydrate before commencing your descent. When you are ready, retrace your footing along the path all the way back to the trailhead.