2025 M Climb: New Orediggers set to ascend Golden’s Mount Zion on Aug. 22

Colorado School of Mines will hold its annual M Climb this week to welcome first-year students to campus.

A Mines tradition dating back to 1908, the M Climb brings together the newest class of Orediggers every year the Friday before fall classes begin. Students climb Mount Zion in Golden, carrying 10-pound rocks from their hometowns. Upon reaching the top, students place their rocks on the mountainside emblem in the shape of an M, visible throughout Golden and beyond.

The 2025 M Climb is scheduled for the morning of Friday, Aug. 22. Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 25. Mines received about 13,150 applications for the 2025-26 academic year and will welcome 1,769 first-year and transfer students to campus this month.

New Mines students: By the numbers, 2025-26 edition

1,769  new first-year and transfer students

17 percent first-generation college students

2 percent international students

3.87 median high school GPA (on an unweighted 4.0 scale)

1400 median SAT composite score

32 median ACT score

48 states represented

27 countries represented

Top 3 U.S. states outside Colorado: Texas, California and Washington

M Climb logistics

Timing

The M Climb will kick off around 7:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22 in the Intramural Fields (1651 Elm St., Golden). Students will depart in two waves, at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Route

Students will walk from the IM Fields to 19th Street, cross over U.S. 6 and then climb up Lookout Mountain Road to the M on Mount Zion. After the climb, students will walk back to campus for a cookout and additional Helluva Welcome activities.

Note on Access

During the M Climb, Lookout Mountain Road will be closed to the public above the arches on Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. (or until all the students are off the road).