Mount Antero via Little Browns Creek

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Features Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views

The standard route up Mount Antero is the shortest and easiest way to get to the top, but unfortunately, it follows rugged 4x4 roads the entire way. Hiking up a road while getting dusted out by ATVs and side-by-sides isn't much fun in my book.

For an almost entirely singletrack hike to the top of Antero, try this route via the Little Browns Creek Trail #1430 instead. Yes, it's going to be much more difficult: this route gains over 5,000 vertical feet and measures 16 miles round-trip. But this rugged, beautiful adventure is well worth the work!

There's a substantial amount of dispersed camping off of the Browns Creek Road, not too far from the trailhead. However, no camping is allowed at the trailhead, and due to the popularity of this area, you aren't guaranteed to get a campsite, especially if you arrive on a Friday or Saturday. To ensure that you find a campsite, arrive early on a Thursday (or earlier in the week). If there aren't any campsites available, please do not drive into the grass or undergrowth to create a new site—this damages the natural resources. Also, be sure to respect all fire bans, and completely extinguish all campfires.

The hike begins from a well-developed trailhead with a pit toilet and a respectably large parking area. Even so, on the weekends the parking lot can fill up. Plan accordingly.

The hike begins by following the Browns Creek Trail, which begins directly to the right of the pit toilet. Note that the trail names for the Browns Creek Trail #1429 and Wagon Loop Trail #1427 were switched several years ago to reduce confusion. However, that means that older maps and some online resources don't align with the trail signs. If in doubt, refer to the route shown here and follow the visibly well-trafficked route.

The initial climb on the Browns Creek Trail is steep and rocky, quickly gaining elevation while providing picturesque views over the Arkansas Valley below. This trail is heavily-used by equestrians and is also open to mountain bikers, so be sure to remain alert for other trail users.

At the junction with the Colorado Trail, turn right and hike for a short distance, and then turn left onto the Little Browns Creek Trail.

Little Browns Creek sees very little traffic—this is a rugged, adventurous route. The trail is generally easy to follow, although there may be fallen branches and down trees across the trail in places, especially early in the season. The trail tread itself is generally rough and rugged, with endless fields of loose, rolling rocks and boulders. Take care not to roll an ankle in this unstable terrain.

Little Browns Creek climbs endlessly, eventually slogging up a steep headwall to enter the high alpine. The upper reaches of the trail can be faint and difficult to follow—but just aim for the dirt road above you.

Once on the dirt road, take a right to head up toward Mount Antero. You'll do a bit of road hiking up a series of switchbacks before leaving the road behind for the final push to the summit.

The final pitch to the summit climbs a classic Sawatch Range scree field. For a 14er scree field scramble, it's fairly straightforward and relatively nontechnical—follow the cairns and make for the summit.

Once done enjoying the views on top, return to the trailhead the way you came. Alternatively, for an even longer adventure, you can also choose to descend the Browns Lake Trail.