Question: Which moderate Colorado peak, quite accessible in winter, is situated in the midst of several of the most rugged and impressive 14,000-foot peaks? The answer may well be Marble Mountain.
The northeast ridge of Marble offers a reasonable winter approach on snowshoes. Most of the hiking is on the well-treed ridge, while the upper part of the ridge is usually kept largely clear of snow by the winds that regularly scour the area. This results in relatively low avalanche risk, usually the main obstacle to safely summiting Colorado’s high peaks in winter.
While this strenuous hike is not for the inexperienced (or those out of shape!), the rewards to be gained by climbing this peak in our coldest season are the stunning views to greet you – one seen by few. From the summit of Marble Mountain you will be greeted with an unrivaled vista: the rugged
Crestones, Kit Carson Peak and Humboldt Peak, as well as many other lesser-known but still impressive peaks such as Broken Hand and Milwaukee Peaks – and all coated in winter white.
Remember that any high peak is a serious undertaking in the winter. Take the appropriate clothing, gear, food and water, and make sure you have the skills and experience to safely enjoy this special place. An equipment malfunction such as a broken snowshoe can be a serious problem if you are not equipped to do field repairs. Ask yourself if you have sufficient supplies with you (and the skills) to survive a night out here if necessary.
Hike description
Assuming you are able to drive to the parking area (two-wheel-drive in the summer), head west on the rugged road toward the South Colony Lakes. In the summer, this infamous road provides an unpleasant driving challenge even for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles but now it is covered with a deep base of snow. So unless it has been packed down, you will usually need your snowshoes immediately. With this season’s low snowfall in the area, however, the road was bare at the beginning of January.
Two miles from the parking area, the road intersects the Rainbow Trail at way point “Rainbow Trail Junction.” Turn south (sharply left) onto the trail and follow it for a quarter of a mile to a point where it crosses the northeast ridge of Marble Mountain (way point “Leave Rainbow Trail”). If you are lucky, there may be a snowshoe track heading southwest up the ridge. Otherwise, prepare to work hard for the next several hours, staying on the crest of the ridge as it gradually climbs up to tree line.
As you drop down a short way from a small ridge point at 10,725 feet, be especially careful to stay on the ridge crest to avoid losing too much elevation.
At tree line, prepare for wind. At some point you will want to take off your snowshoes. If you decide to stash them, make sure you can find them on the way down (even in a whiteout). A GPS way point could be used for this purpose. In general, the safest course of action is to put the snowshoes on your back and suffer a little more. I have encountered hikers who were unable to locate their snowshoes. This could have very serious consequences.
Continue up the ridge on tundra, passing patches of krummholz (trees stunted at tree line) before reaching the final talus slopes and eventually the summit.
I think you will agree that the views that greet you are well worth the effort you have expended getting to this spot.
Dave Cooper is the author of “Colorado Scrambles: A Guide to 50 Select Climbs in Colorado’s Mountains.”
The details
Getting to the trailhead: From the town of Westcliffe in the Wet Valley, head south on State Road 69 for 4.5 miles. Turn right onto Colfax Lane (County Road 119) and head south for 5.6 miles to a T-junction.
Turn right (west) on County Road 120 and park after 1.5 miles at the summer two-wheel-drive trailhead. If the road is not plowed all the way, you may have to park sooner.
HIKE STATISTICS
Trailhead to the summit of Marble Mountain: 4,700 feet of total elevation gain in 5.4 miles (one way).
Difficulty: A strenuous winter mountaineering outing at high altitude – snowshoes required. No technical difficulty.
USGS Quad: Crestone Peak, Beck Mountain.
