Mt. Aetna

Mt Aetna is the classic looking peak seen from many locations at Monarch Mountain. As the most dramatic sentinel in this portion of the Sawatch Range, Mt Aetna stands at 13.745′ in elevation and is a bicentennial peak. (among the highest 200 peaks in Colorado). This peak is located up the Middle Fork of the South Arkansas River up above the town of Garfield. The Lost Wonder Hut is a great base in this area for exploring Aetna and the other peaks in this drainage including Clover, Vulcan and Monumental. On most years, Monarch staff members make a spring trip up to spend some time in the hut and ski the nearby peaks. The Grand Couloir of Mt Aetna should be on every backcountry skier’s bucket list.

Mt Aetna from the summit of Monarch Pass
View of Aetna from Mirkwood
Summer beneath the Grand Couloir