Courthouse Mountain

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Courthouse rises to a mere 12,152 feet, which, when compared to the 13 and 14,000 foot monoliths in the area, may not seem like much. But, standing guard over Ridgway with over 1,000 feet of vertical prominence, and beaming such a unique face, the mountain is one striking sight to behold.

The peak may seem unattainable from below, but a well-defined route threads the terrain to find an exposed summit with relative ease.

At the top, wide-reaching views open up to Ridgway in the west; Chimney Rock and Silver Jack Reservoir to the northeast; the Uncompahgre Valley to the northwest; and directly to the southeast lays the West Fork Cimarron River Valley, trapped by the high peaks of Dunsinane Mountain, Precipice Peak, Redcliffe, and Coxcomb.

Tucked beneath an unyielding canopy of high-reaching pine trees, aside from a few passing glimpses at Precipice Peak, the views don't open up much once leaving the trailhead behind. Leveling briefly at its first and only intersection, the trail hooks a sharp right, delving deeper into the Uncompahgre Wilderness. Gaining on the ridge, the trees thin to the first peek at the high mountains separating us from Ouray, including the Bridge of Heaven. Despite having conquered almost half of the trail at this point, you've only gained about 700 feet, still leaving over 1,000 to go, and only a mile to do it in.

Honing in on a stubborn hoodoo, the trail wraps towards the eastern face of Courthouse Mountain, then swings wide, where Redcliff and Coxcomb Peaks slide into view on the far side of the West Fork Cimarron River Valley.

With the trail growing steeper still, traction becomes near impossible on the sheer, grainy slopes that lead into a boulder field. But despite a seemingly technical climb from below, a cairned route threads an easy path between the roadblocks to find access to the grassy slopes just below the summit. The final scramble through alpine tundra finds an exposed summit ridge.

You may spot the occasional deer, mountain goat, bighorn, or bear along this trail. Near and above treeline, a vivid display of wildflowers blanket the high-alpine meadows.

Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Rock, as well as a number of other location around Montrose, Telluride and Ouray, were used in the original 1969 True Grit. These unique peaks are volcanic in nature, built from layers of consolidated ash. The rock is soft and highly erosive, so stay on trail.