Buffalo Mountain - 5.5 Miles Round-Trip

Buffalo Mountain is located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, a prominent summit over Silverthorne CO with commanding views across South Willow Creek basin, Salt Lick Gulch, Red Peak, Eccles Pass, Red Buffalo Pass and the Gore and Ten Mile ranges.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The Buffalo Mountain Trail is fairly short but strenuous, gaining over 3000' in just 2.75 miles. Portions of the trail negotiate steep switchbacks and rugged talus fields above treeline, which require careful time management and equal exertion on the descent.

Start early for a comfortable pace, and extra time to explore the large summit. Visitors will enjoy long stretches of open tundra, and a good chance to see mountain goat in prime habitat:

The trail heads northwest on a moderate grade past the Eagles Nest Wilderness Boundary (.35 miles : 9,974') to the Buffalo Mountain Trail - South Willow Creek Trail split (.6 miles : 9,993').

The Buffalo Mountain Trail bends southwest and steepens on a wide, rocky path past two nondescript cabin remains. It narrows just past the second remain (1.05 miles : 10,355') and begins an arduous climb up steep, tightly wound switchbacks.

The trail rises quickly into a high subalpine forest, which thins to an abrupt break on the edge of a sprawling talus field (1.7 miles : 11,395'). A large cairn marks this important transition, at which point you'll ignore a false spur to the left and head straight into the rock field.

Travel slows considerably on a winding, uneven route through the talus. Cairns lead the way, but blend seamlessly with the landscape. Keep track of your progress, avoid deviating from the designated path and pass carefully over loose rock.

The trail reaches a ridge and bends northwest, where it leaves the talus for a welcome reprieve in the open tundra (2.1 miles : 12,029').

While terrain is friendlier the grade is not, curling steeply through open tundra on the mountain's northeast slope. Views include Eccles Pass (11,917'), Red Peak (13,189') and South Willow Creek basin. Look for mountain goat, marmot, ptarmigan and elk in this high alpine environment.

The trail grows rocky on the final approach to Buffalo Mountain's summit (2.75 miles : 12,777'), which is long, narrow and rugged. Social paths continue south to its bulbous southern tip, a deceptively long and rigorous scramble.

Mountain Goats
Mountain Goats range across North America's northern mountains, with large populations in Idaho, Montana and British Columbia .

They were introduced to Colorado in 1947 to bolster the state's hunting allure, though debate continues regarding their indigenous status. Mountain Goat live in small groups at high elevations, feeding on alpine tundra grasses, mosses, lichens and sedges.

Billies can weigh up to 300 pounds, and nannies are somewhat smaller. Both have sharp black horns that can reach 12 inches. Heavily cushioned, skid-proof hooves give them exceptional balance and traction, and double-layered wool coats can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Since they rarely venture below treeline, they have few natural predators. Avalanches and rocks slides are their primary concern, though eagles are known to knock smaller animals off cliffs, and mountain lion have some success hunting in their lower range.