James Peak via Kingston Peak Spur
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3.7 mi
Distance
1 hrs 34 min
Time
terrain
2,501 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail to James Peak in Arapaho National Forest.
This trail goes by St. Mary's Glacier and Saint Mary's Glacier.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Trekking to the top of James Peak is always a breezy delight. First, one must navigate the St Mary’s Glacier now remnant snowfield with some scree, but at the top, the broad alpine tundra awaits.
There is an ATV corridor to navigate but once in the James Peak Wilderness Area, things get quieter. The trail is well-marked with many cairns. There are some great views of nearby mountains including Pikes Peak, Mount Evans, Square Top Mountain and Grays and Torreys Peaks.
From the summit, Grand County, Longs Peak, the Gore Range and Indian Peaks Wilderness Area come to view!
Because of the high length of alpine tundra, my only caution is being wary of thunderstorms. On this crisp and breezy autumn day, there was no such threat!
Bring $5 to park and get an early start!
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Public Tracks
James Peak
Our first 13er. There was some snow on the ground, so we couldn't exactly follow the trail, but had some good waypoints to shoot for and made it up.
