Castle Peak is the
highest peak in the
Elk Mountains at
14,265 feet, and the 12th highest peak in Colorado. It is on the Northeast Ridge of the Elk Mountains and is classified as a difficult level 2, and is an ideal
beginner 14er that has an exciting and breathtaking summit ridge.
The exposure is a 3/6, meaning that there is a
moderate level of
exposure on the immediate route and some slow hiking or scrambling may be necessary on the trail. The length of the trail to the summit and back is
13 miles if you start at the main trailhead,
6.5 miles if you start hiking from 11,200 feet, although you must have a 4WD vehicle to park this high up on the mountain.
The elevation gain is 4,600' if you start at the main trailhead, 3,100 feet if you start at 11,200 feet. The Castle Creek trailhead is found by following Castle Creek Road out of Aspen. The trailhead follows a 2WD paved access to 9,750 feet, a rough 2WD access to 9,900 feet, a 4WD access to 12,800 feet by following Castle Creek up past the Montezuma Mine and into a basin north of Castle Peak.
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