Mt Antero Rd (13,800′) , Sawatch Range
Mt Antero is one of only a handful of 14,000′ peaks that has a road that travels to within a short distance of the summit. The road up the mountain is difficult, rough and rocky, requiring four-wheel drive, eventually topping out at 13,800′. From the end of the road at point 13,800 it’s a 1/2 mile and 470′ scramble to the summit.
In 1881, a Salida man by the name of Nelson Wanemaker discovered gems high on Mt Antero. His discovery was publicized a few years later, and the mountain became a famous collecting area for aquamarine, phenacite, fluorite, topaz, and smoky quartz crystals. It has the highest concentration of these minerals anywhere in the US. With findings far above timberline, this is the highest known gem field in the lower 48.
The Sawatch Mountain Range is home to fourteen other 14,000′ peaks, such as Huron Peak, La Plata Peak, Missouri Mountain, and the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, Mt Elbert.
Trail Stats
- Road: 277, 278, 278A
- Round trip: 18.8 miles / 30.3 km (Mt Antero and Mt White)
- Elevation: 9,400′ – 13,800′ / 2,865 m – 4,206 m
- County: Chaffee
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Forest: San Isabel
Trail Pictures
Mt Antero 14,269′ on the (left), and Mt Princeton 14,197′ (center)
Mt Antero 14,269′ on the (left), and Mt Princeton 14,197′ (center)
Near the trailhead with Alpine Lake on the right
Near the trailhead with Alpine Lake on the right
View across Chalk Creek at an unnamed 12,800′ peak
View across Chalk Creek at an unnamed 12,800′ peak
A grove of Aspen trees ahead
A grove of Aspen trees ahead
Cronin Peak
Cronin Peak
Heading back down
Heading back down
At 13,800″ looking at the summit of Mt Antero
At 13,800″ looking at the summit of Mt Antero
View of Cronin Peak from PT 13,800′
View of Cronin Peak from PT 13,800′
View of Mt White
View of Mt White
Near the summit of PT 13,800′
Near the summit of PT 13,800′
The route to PT 13,800′
The route to PT 13,800′
View of Mt Antero from Mt White – summit on right
View of Mt Antero from Mt White – summit on right
4X4 adventure pilot
4X4 adventure pilot
Near the summit of Mt White looking east. The smoke is from the Decker fire.
Near the summit of Mt White looking east. The smoke is from the Decker fire.
Mt Shavano (14,229′) in back and Tabeguache (14,155′) right of center
Mt Shavano (14,229′) in back and Tabeguache (14,155′) right of center
The summit of Mt White (13,667′) ahead
The summit of Mt White (13,667′) ahead
Steep switchbacks on the west side of the mountain
Steep switchbacks on the west side of the mountain
Near the abrupt rock color transition from white to brown
Near the abrupt rock color transition from white to brown
A striking mineral transition from white to brown ahead
A striking mineral transition from white to brown ahead
Road 277 winding up the side of Mt Antero
Road 277 winding up the side of Mt Antero
Strong winds today above treeline made it hard to stand up outside
Strong winds today above treeline made it hard to stand up outside
View of Cronin Peak (13,870′) from the west side of Mt Antero
View of Cronin Peak (13,870′) from the west side of Mt Antero
The road climbs quickly once above treeline
The road climbs quickly once above treeline
Baldwin Gulch Junction – take a left for Mt Antero
Baldwin Gulch Junction – take a left for Mt Antero
RD 277 nearing the trailhead
RD 277 nearing the trailhead
The beginning of Road 277 in fall colors
The beginning of Road 277 in fall colors
The beginning of RD 277 was hit by an avalanche. The road was cleared but is very rough.
The beginning of RD 277 was hit by an avalanche. The road was cleared but is very rough.
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Weather
Route Directions
Turn onto #277 jeep road (Baldwin Gultch) and drive 3 miles to a road junction at 10,850′. Turn left on the #278 road and cross Baldwin Creek.
Continue another mile to tree line as it climb’s Mt Antero’s west slopes. Stay left on 278A at the next 2 junction’s, reaching 13,200′.
From 13,200′ to 13,800′, the road becomes extremely steep with hairpin
switchbacks. You may want to consider parking here as most vehicles
wont make it. Continue up the steep south side to reach the end of the road, Point 13,800′.
Trailhead Directions
Beautiful!