Mount Audubon (13,223′) | CO Rank: 458/637
Front Range | Indian Peaks Wilderness | Ward, CO
10/08/20 | 8.42 miles | 2,713′ gain | Class 1 & 2
Mount Audubon had been on my short-list for years but somehow I just never got around to it. It’d been recommended to me by a handful of people as an easy 13er with great views. I found it to be exactly that, and thus questioned what the heck took me so long to get up there.
I parked at the Mitchell Lake Trailhead and set off on the Mount Audubon Trail just before 7am. This was plenty early for a Thursday in October, but summer weekends are a different story. The trail goes nearly the entire way to the summit and is well-marked. I first hiked through a beautiful forest for about a mile to treeline.
The trail switchbacked up a steeper section before curving around to head directly to Audubon.
I wanted to head directly up Audubon’s east slopes but the trail kept to the north, heading to the saddle between Audubon and a small point sometimes referred to as “Notabon”.
The saddle boasted a nice overlook into Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail more or less petered out here.
The last 400′ or so to Audubon’s summit was talus. I found numerous cairns and trail segments through here but none seemed to connect fluidly. Eventually I got sick of dead-ending and I just made my own way up.
I’d been sheltered from the wind so far and had gorgeous warm weather, but the last stretch to the summit was very windy.
I took a very short break on the summit since it was so cold, then retraced my steps down the talus and back to the trail.
I saw quite a few more people as I was heading down, but still surprisingly few for such a busy area. I made good time once back on the trail and had a nice, easy walk back to the trailhead.
The Indian Peaks are such a beautiful area and I was so happy to finally visit Mount Audubon. It certainly fits the bill of an easy, scenic 13er (plus it’s close to home). Another perfect day in the mountains.
Chelsea
Colorado Chelsea 
I always enjoy your photos and so glad that you add a map of the hike write up.
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Thanks so much! One of my readers actually suggested the map idea to me a year or so ago. They’ve made a great addition to my posts!
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Loved the photos and had to laugh at Lady and her big stick. She sure enjoys hiking with you!
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Thanks Helen! Lady is a character, that’s for sure. She turned 8 last month and is just now slowing down a bit, but I imagine she’ll keep hiking for years.
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Wow! Beautiful. Roll on some freedom here in the UK.
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Thank you!
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Beautiful! Love the views!!!
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Thanks Lori!
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Lovely post. Nice hike, amazing views and Summit views of the Indian Peaks …simply great!
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Thank you! The views were INCREDIBLE!
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I always like reading other people’s posts of hikes I’ve done, it’s fun to see the similarities and differences of what we experienced. Also
I laughed really hard at Notabon, I’ve never heard that before 😂
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I really want to know the story of Notabon…it’s only named on some maps. Cracks me up too 😀
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Wow!! Great post, as always. Beautiful pictures and super descriptions. thank you.
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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That’s an early start for a hike. And on a Thursday. I can’t imagine how crazy busy this trail gets on the weekend. The nice thing about arriving so early (besides getting a parking spot) is that the sunrise casts such a warm glow through across the landscape.
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I’ve heard this lot can fill by 6am (or earlier) on summer weekends…absolutely insane!
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Gorgeous photos! What a beautiful area you live near!
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Thank you! We are very lucky!
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I concur with this being a good hike/climb. Mount Audubon was the first peak above 13,000 feet for me back when I was a teenager. Happy Trails! ⛰️
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Audubon is a great first 13er! I loved it!
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