Getting Oriented
Mount Antero is the southernmost 14,000-foot peak in the Sawatch Range, west of US-285 between Buena Vista and Salida. The 4WD road climbs from Chalk Creek Canyon up the southwest ridge of Antero to a turnaround near 13,800 feet. Pike-San Isabel National Forest's Salida Ranger District manages the corridor.
Trail Overview
Approximately 16 miles round-trip from the FR 277 turnoff to the high turnaround. The lower portion through Baldwin Gulch is moderate forest road; the upper switchbacks above 12,500 feet are the technical crux. Loose talus and shelf-road exposure characterize the high traverse. The road ends at a small turnaround just below the summit ridge; the summit itself is a quarter-mile hike further up.
Points of Interest
- Mount Antero summit (14,275 ft). A 0.5-mile hike from the road's high turnaround.
- Aquamarine prospecting area. Tailings and prospect pits at the route's high traverse. Mount Antero is the only commercial source of aquamarine in the United States.
- Mount White (13,667 ft). Adjacent peak with views from the high road.
- Baldwin Gulch. Lower drainage on the climb with dispersed camping below the route's start.
- Chalk Cliffs. Visible from the lower drainage; the white cliffs above the Mount Princeton area.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land in Baldwin Gulch and along the lower portions of the road, with the standard 16-day stay limit. Cascade Campground on Chalk Creek is a developed FS option. The Mount Princeton Hot Springs and Chalk Lake Campgrounds sit along the corridor on US-285.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The road opens with snowmelt in early to mid-July most years. Confirm with the Salida Ranger District (719-539-3591).
- Plan to be on the high road only in the morning. Afternoon thunderstorms above 13,000 feet are dangerous.
- The aquamarine prospecting area requires proper claim awareness. Active mining claims exist; recreational rockhounding requires care.
- Carry full recovery gear, a high-lift jack, and a spare tire. Cell service is none.
- Combine with Tincup Pass to the north for a multi-day Sawatch tour.
