Скачать или смотреть Hiking French Mountain and Casco Peak in Colorado

French Mountain and Casco Peak are both among the 100 highest mountains in Colorado, but are overshadowed by their proximity to the two highest peaks in the state. French (13,942 feet) and Casco (13,905) are located just south of Mount Elbert, the highest point in the state, and adjacent to Mount Massive, the second-highest.

The relatively easy hike is accessed from the Halfmoon Creek trail and heads up a 4x4 road that has two creek crossings. One could drive well above treeline with the right vehicle, but most people (including us) parked before the first crossing.

It's a simple class 1 hike up to French Mountain, located on the right (north) side of the basin when you exit the trees. When you reach the ruins of an old mining cabin, you leave the road and head straight up the gully that takes you near the summit.

From French Mountain, you descend a short distance back to the saddle above the gully and continue southwest toward Frasco Benchmark, an unranked 13er between French and Casco. There are a few class 2 sections, and some exposure if you stay high on the ridge, but it is again an easy hike to Frasco.

Once on Frasco, the descent to the saddle with Casco Peak is the crux of the route, though the difficulty still doesn't exceed difficult class 2. Route finding can be challenging in spots and there are some steep sections. After reaching the saddle, it is mostly a class 1 hike up to the summit of Casco, with a bit of boulder hopping near the summit, which reminded me of Mount Bierstadt.

This was a beautiful hike and we did not encounter anyone on the trail besides two people who were camping in the basin. It has wonderful views of the surrounding 14ers to the north, east and south, and also has views of the 14ers to the west in the Elk Mountains near Aspen beyond Independence Pass.