Castle Peak

Recommended Route

Montezuma Basin route—use of this route will help to reduce impacts to this Fourteener’s fragile alpine environment. For detailed route information including pictures, maps, and elevation profiles, click here.

Route Information and Additional Resources

From Aspen, go northwest on CO 82 to the junction with Ashcroft and Maroon Lake roads. Go left, then immediately take the left-hand fork to Castle Creek. Go 11.5 miles to Ashcroft and then 1.5 miles to a fork. The main road (left at the fork) becomes very rough. Most vehicles cannot make it up this road, and should be parked at the valley floor. Hike up into Montezuma Basin. Just south of Montezuma Mine, hike southwest toward Castle Peak. Stay on the clear trail all the way to the summit.

The above information does not replace the need to consult additional maps and Colorado Fourteener Guidebooks for more detailed route descriptions. We suggest checking multiple resources before departing on any hike. Keep in mind that not all guidebooks list this as a recommended route and that each guidebook’s description or route name may vary slightly.

Peak Specific Environmental and Safety Concerns

No camping is allowed in the Castle Creek Valley. Camping is allowed on the dirt road to Montezuma Basin in one of the six designated sites. There are many social trails that have been created on this peak’s upper slopes. Take care to stay on the main trail.