Bear Lake and Harvard Columbia Scramble Trail via Horn Fork Basin Trail

The Bear Lake and Harvard Columbia Scramble Trail via the Horn Fork Basin Trail is a challenging hike that takes you through the beautiful Horn Fork Basin and offers stunning views of the Sawatch Range in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The trailhead is located near the ghost town of Winfield, Colorado, and the trail is approximately 18.2 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 6,500 feet.The trail begins at the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead and follows the Horn Fork Basin Trail for the first 2.5 miles. The trail then splits, with the Bear Lake Trail heading to the left and the Scramble Trail to the right. The Scramble Trail is a steep, rocky trail that takes you to the summits of both Mount Harvard and Columbia. The trail is marked with cairns and is not a maintained trail, so hikers should have experience with route-finding and scrambling.The Bear Lake Trail is a more gradual hike that takes you to Bear Lake, a beautiful alpine lake at the base of Mount Harvard. The trail is well-maintained and offers great views of the surrounding mountains.It is important to note that this hike is considered strenuous and can be challenging, especially at high elevations. Hikers should be in good physical condition and have experience hiking at high elevations before attempting the trail. It is also important to be prepared for changing weather conditions and to bring plenty of water, food, and warm clothing. It is also advisable to check the weather forecast before starting the hike, and also check trail conditions and bring the necessary gear. For information on how we grade trails, please click here. Also, check our latest community posts for trail updates.This trail can be completed in approx. 3 days. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.Photo Credit :Pimlico27David Herrera