French Mountain rises in Lake County about 13 miles southwest of Leadville, a broad tundra summit on the long ridges that radiate from Mount Elbert. It sits at the head of South Halfmoon Creek between the two tallest peaks in Colorado, which makes it a quieter vantage on famous neighbors, and it is often strung together with Frasco Benchmark and Casco Peak along a connecting ridge.
Most ascents start from the Halfmoon Creek area and head up the South Halfmoon Creek road (FR 110J). That road demands a high-clearance, short-wheelbase 4WD, and a stream crossing about a mile up turns most vehicles back, so many hikers walk it. The standard combination route climbs through forest to treeline and the ruined cabins of the Iron Mike Mine near 12,500 feet, then crosses grassy slopes to a 13,600-foot saddle and a short Class 2 ridge to the top. French alone runs roughly 3,700 feet of gain, while adding Frasco and Casco makes a difficult Class 2 day of 11.75 miles and 4,600 feet. A southeast ridge and flank option lists about 10 miles and 3,650 feet from the lower trailhead, with willows and several creek crossings down low.
The summit is rubbly, and the view across to the Mount Massive complex is the reward. Summer mornings are the time to go, since the open ridges offer no shelter once storms build.
