Niagara & The Crowns
Trailhead: Snare Gulch (4x4)
Summits:
* Crown Mountain
* North Crown Mountain
* Niagara Peak
Distance: 9.4m
Elevation Gain: 3800ft
Duration: 6.5hrs
GPX
Crown 14ers.com Page
North Crown 14ers.com Page
Niagara 14ers.com Page
Walking the road from the TH is a little tiresome (not a fan of walking roads)... but once in the upper basin this is a gorgeous little hike. Be sure to take my short cut and avoid the tedious switchbacks on the road.
![Crown niagara 01]()
9.4m - 3800ft - 6.5hrs. Avoid the roads switchbacks and take the diagonal route in the gps crown track
![Crown niagara 02]()
Historic cabin or trailer trash? This is the spot where our out and back trail intersects. If I were to do it again I would take the out track in both directions at this point... I don't mind some mild schwacking to cut some distance.
![Crown niagara 03]()
![Crown niagara 04]()
After walking the road for a bit the terrain opens into a gorgeous basin. Niagara above flowers
![Crown niagara 05]()
Plenty of lakes up here
![Crown niagara 06]()
Crown (L) and Niagara (R)
![Crown niagara 07]()
A short scramble to Crown's south ridge
![Crown niagara 08]()
Crown's south ridge
![Crown niagara 09]()
Kristi hiking Crown's south ridge. Stony Pass peaks just behind
![Crown niagara 10]()
The Nuche!
![Crown niagara 11]()
While Kristi took a breather I did a short out and back to North Crown
![Crown niagara 12]()
Southern views down CR2 towards Silverton
![Crown niagara 13]()
The ridge to Niagara from Crown
![Crown niagara 14]()
Heading to Niagara - North Crown behind
![Crown niagara 15]()
![Crown niagara 16]()
![Crown niagara 17]()
![Crown niagara 18]()
Approaching Niagara's summit
![Crown niagara 19]()
Northerly views toward (L2R) Coxcomb, Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre
![Crown niagara 20]()
Jones (L), Handies(behind) and American(R) from Niagara
![Crown niagara 21]()
Descending Niagara's east ridge
![Crown niagara 22]()
Back to the basin - land of streams, lakes and wildflowers
![Crown niagara 23]()
Half looking closer than it is
![Crown niagara 24]()
Back to the trailer trash and not far from the TH (if you opt for my shortcut)
