Recreation Region: Aspen - Sopris Ranger District
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness - White River
Congress designated the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in 1980. It covers 167,584 acres in Colorado, and lies in the White River, Gunnison and Pike San Isabel National Forests.
The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness has eight "fourteeners,"including Mounts Yale, Oxford, Columbia, and Harvard, Huron Peak, Missouri Mountain, Mount Belford, and La Plata Peak. Five short hikes accessed from highway 82 and Lincoln Creek road lead to alpine lakes and expansive bowls. All are very popular, but the White River NF trails are quieter than areas to the east.
Avoid campfires near treeline to protect dwarfed, krummholz trees.
See also:
- Pike and San Isabel National Forests Wilderness information.
- Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Wilderness information
Active Alerts
General Information
Permits are required. These are free of charge- self-issue at trailheads.
Motorized equipment and mechanical transport are prohibited; this includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) may not take off, land, or be operated within designated Wilderness.
See: Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use
See: Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
