Gothic Mountain via Trail 403

Route Description for Gothic Mountain via Trail 403

If you are in search of a hiking route in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that is equal parts frustrating and rewarding, then the Gothic Mountain via Trail 403 will be the perfect route for you. This hike will see you traverse three false summits on the way to the true peak, meaning you will have plenty of obstacles to overcome before reaching the scenic highlight of the journey.

Setting out from the car park at the 403 trailhead, you will head north across the road and begin climbing up the switchback trail that gradually shifts its direction towards the east. After working your way up the hillside through the intermittent tree cover of the subalpine, you will begin climbing more sharply uphill towards the summit of Gothic Mountain.

As you make your way through the rugged mountain terrain, you will traverse no less than three false summits before arriving at the top. Take some time here to catch your breath and experience the breathtaking mountain scenery surrounding you, before backtracking along the same route on the return to the trailhead.