Plan with
Confidence
The Cottonwood Creek Trailhead is generally closed for winter several miles below the start of the Horn Fork Basin Trail.
Though the land manager requests all dogs be leashed, you'll likely see few dogs, none of whom will be leashed.
Path Type
Point to Point
As the west slopes of Mt. Columbia come into view, head right towards a boulder field, leaving the Horn Fork Basin Trail.
Hike up a small hill out of the forest, continuing up a short gully to the left of the boulder field at about 11,800 ft. Cross the small boulder field, angling uphill and to the right. Avoid a set of cliffs, creating your own switchbacks through the rocks. Continue to the left up steep, grassy slopes toward the shoulder of Mt. Columbia.
The trail here is vague, but if you continue up the ridge toward Columbia's visible summit you can't get lost. Angle to the left, reaching a rockier summit ridge at about 13,600 ft. From here, the trail is more obvious and the grade less steep (as seen on the elevation profile). Continue about a half mile along the ridge to reach the summit of Mt. Columbia.
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