Hiking Project Logo

Not the most peaceful route, as it's a highly-used 4x4 route, Antero does offer some amazing views.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

14.7

Miles

23.7

KM

Out and Back

14,216' 4,333 m

High

9,468' 2,886 m

Low

4,748' 1,447 m

Up

4,746' 1,447 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

46%

Max Grade (25°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

Family Friendly The majority of this hike takes place on a 4x4 road, making it a fairly easy & accessible hike. Reaching the summit does require a bit of scrambling.

The 277 road can be driven by most capable 4WD vehicles, although there may be snow fairly low even into the summer.

The land manager requests dogs be leashed. This is probably a good idea, as vehicles go up and down this road all day.

Overview

While Evans and Pikes are largely considered the only "drive-up" 14ers, Antero comes close. Most capable 4WD vehicles - midsize SUVs and up - can make it to 12,000 ft, with larger vehicles coming close to 13,000. ATVs can make it to around 13,600 ft, where the class 2 singletrack finally begins. All this route entails is a really long hike up a road followed by a 15-minute class 2 jaunt to the summit.

Need to Know

While this hike is really just a road, it's still long and at altitude. Bring plenty of water, food, clothing, and be off the summit early. Fast folks can expect a 6-hour trip, with most taking 8-10.

Description

From the US-285 and 24 junction just south of Buena Vista, drive about 5.5 miles south on 285 before turning right (west) onto Chaffee County Road 262 toward Mt. Princeton. This is a fairly large intersection next to some trees. Drive 12.5 miles on this road. Pass Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and continue. In about 10 miles total, the road turns to dirt. Drive 2.5 more miles and come to the Baldwin Gulch Jeep Road (277) on the left. Most cars will have to park here. This is the beginning of the mapped route. High clearance 4WD vehicles can continue to the creek crossing 3 miles up, and modified vehicles may make it above 13,000 ft.

From the start of the 277 road, start up along the switchbacking road, which is steep for cars but not hikers. In 3 miles, come to a creek crossing at 10,850 ft. The road diverges here - follow signs, turning left and crossing the creek. Continue up a rocky road until you hit a switchbacking section around 12,000 ft. Continue up the switchbacks, still on the road, to reach a ridge at 13,100 ft. Stay left and find the trail to the east of the ridge.

Continue along a flat portion of the road. It begins switchbacking again very shortly, and brings you to the underwhelming summit of Pt 13,800 - a reasonably unnamed 13er. Finally, it's time for some singletrack. There's not much of it. Cross a rocky ridge toward Mt. Antero. It's easiest to stay just to the right of ridge proper - it's flatter and less treacherous. Once across the ridge, continue up some class 2 talus for about 400 ft to reach Mt. Antero's fairly large summit. The views are slightly unique, as there's way more road than on any other Sawatch 14er.

Flora & Fauna

Due to high vehicle traffic, you won't see many animals. There are some wildflowers up high.

History & Background

Named after Chief Antero of the Ute Tribe, Mt. Antero boasts the highest gem field in the lower 48.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tyler Prince

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 10 votes

#1

in Alpine

#4636

Overall
  3.4 from 10 votes
5 Star
10%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
30%
2 Star
20%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Alpine

#591

in Colorado

#4,636

Overall
12 Views Last Month
4,874 Since Sep 13, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
14%
57%
29%
0%

Photos

The creek crossing.
Oct 16, 2015 near Buena V…, CO
The summit of Antero via a connecting ridge from Pt. 13,800. This is the only singletrack of the entire route.
Oct 16, 2015 near Buena V…, CO
Typical terrain on the road's many switchbacks.
Oct 16, 2015 near Buena V…, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.