Approach
from Buena Vista........drive to Mt Princeton Hot Springs, continue past Cascade Campground, go up hill, turn right onto dirt road and cross river, go 1/2 mile and turn right up steep, rocky 4x4 road for couple of hundred yards or park off of main road......trail is somewhat difficult to find, but it is there
Route Description
a wonderful alternative to the standard east face route...this route follows Grouse creek northward and upward eventually splitting off and heading north east up and up and up until eventually gaining Princeton's long, well defined west ridge. Follow this ridge up to a high point of 13,000 nine something and then continue on to Princeton's summit........... I think there is close to 5,300" of elevation gain since you start from the valley floor!! Trail is rough at first due to overgrowth and deadfall.......not sure of the status of this trail, if it is legit or not, so tread lightly.........this ridge could be ascended right from the valley floor, up and bending north to east to Princeton's summit - now that would be a cool route!
Essential Gear
standard hiking stuff
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
Matt Mahoney - Jun 1, 2002 4:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Route CommentThere is an easier trail to Grouse Canyon, but as far as I know it is not marked on the Trails Illustrated maps or Roach's maps. It starts 1.5 miles west of the Grouse Canyon drainage. Continue west on 292 (dirt road) through Alpine and turn right (north) on 292C, which is about 1/4 mile east of the bridge to 162 at Baldwin Gulch. The trail starts at the end of 292C about 3 blocks (1/4 mile) north of 292. The trail climbs gradually WSW for 1.5 miles and merges with the Grouse Canyon trail at about 10,000 ft. The trail is well maintained and has much better footing than the direct route up Grouse Canyon described by Roach.