Mount Columbia Southeast Ridge

The route begins at the Harvard Lakes trailhead and ends at the summit of Mount Columbia, returning the same way for a round trip of about 12 miles. From the trailhead, walk up the road briefly, then turn right onto the Colorado Trail. Shortly after the second switchback, near 9,950 feet, watch for an easy-to-miss trail on the left, about 50 yards before the Colorado Trail bends right; this marks the start of the southeast ridge route. Leave the Colorado Trail and climb into open forest along the ridge, following a faint, cairn-marked path just below the ridge's right side, with occasional fallen trees to step over. The trail grows rockier near treeline, where a small boulder field can be skirted to the right. Above 11,500 feet, climb through a stand of dead trees and up the ridge's rocky points, cutting across their left faces to avoid unnecessary elevation loss and gain. Near 12,800 feet, reach a switchback with the first clear view of Columbia across Three Elk Creek Basin. Navigate around a rocky point near 13,240 feet on its right, then continue over Point 13,298', where scrambling is occasionally required but easier paths exist to the left of most obstacles. The ridge joins the standard route from Horn Fork Basin below the summit; continue past a broad grassy expanse, skirt right around a false summit point, and scramble to the true summit beyond it.