Summit County, Colorado—best known for Breckenridge and Copper Mountain ski resorts—is also home to incredible hiking opportunities. Buffalo Mountain is one such gem, offering stunning views of the surrounding area and distant mountain ranges. However, you’ll have to earn that summit and those views with a steep and scrambly ascent
Trail Info
Know before you go
There is a large boulder field to traverse about 2 miles (3.6 km) into the hike, stretching roughly 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Navigation can be tricky, and it’s easy to lose sight of the trail markers (rock piles), so stay alert and focused.
Parking is very limited, with space for only ~20 cars, and other trails in the area add to the demand. Legal parking options in the neighborhood are scarce, so plan to arrive early to secure a spot.
Adding on the South Summit requires a Class 3 scramble. While it’s not necessary to include this summit (it’s shorter than North Summit and offers similar views), it’s a fun and rewarding add-on for those up for the challenge.
This is not the same as the Buffalo Peaks 13er loop. Those are located farther south in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness near Buena Vista. That 16+ mile loop makes this one look like a cake walk.
Other trails nearby
Lilypad Lake: A popular, easy-going hike in the area that leads to a serene lake while still offering lovely mountain views.
Willow Creek Falls: Another enjoyable trail that starts from the same trailhead and is worth exploring
The Trail
After arriving early to get that parking spot :), cross the street to begin the trail.
The first half mile or so is fairly flat, with only minimal elevation gain. Enjoy it, because the chill vibes won't last long.
After ~15 minutes you will hit the only junction on the entire trail. Head left to continue up Buffalo Mountain.
From here, it's a steep ascent through the trees. There's luckily quite a few switchbacks, but it will get the heart pumping. Take the breaks (and hopefully peep a view or two) when you can.
Once you break tree-line, the boulder field begins. Veer right at the very large rock pile that marks the start of the boulder field (you should be able to see the smaller rock piles). This section is challenging, requiring some scrambling over boulders of varying sizes. Take care with your footing, as some of the rocks can shift unexpectedly.
Navigation is arguably the hardest part of the boulder field. While there are several rock piles (cairns) marking the path, they can be easy to miss. Following the trail is especially important on the descent so that you reenter the trees at the right spot.
Another break for views! Pretty epic being able to see Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon with all those golden aspens.
Once you conquer the boulder field, you're not quite done. There's a few false summits, before you reach the true summit.
And we made it to Buffalo Summit, elevation 12,781 feet (3,896 meters)! There wasn't any official summit marker that I could see, so I think it's fair to treat this long spine as the summit.
Pretty insane views from up here. All the mountains in the Eagles Nest Wilderness were captivating.
Now for the optional side quest: the South Summit (possibly called Sacred Buffalo?). It’s the farthest, rightmost hump visible in the distance. The challenging part comes just beyond where this hiker is, as it involves a Class 3 downclimb.
There are a few tricky scrambles along the way, but here’s a shot of what I found to be the toughest—mainly due to the bit of exposure below. It was a great addition to an already scrambly and adventurous hike.
South Buffalo summited!
Looking back at Buffalo Mountain!
Fast forward back to the main peak. Hard not to show off some photos of this amazing foliage!
And one last shot of this mesmerizing landscape!
SS Reflections
This hike was one of those "man, I love Colorado" moments. I was staying in Frisco for a few days to celebrate my official move to the state. While scouting out some hikes, I drove into town and couldn’t help but notice Buffalo Mountain standing prominently above the area. I thought to myself, "I wonder if you can hike that?" Well, you can—and it turns out, it’s an exhilarating adventure that combines challenge, beauty, and a sense of accomplishment that perfectly captures why I moved here in the first place.
Other helpful resources
Summit Daily's detailed description of the trail