Its a long hike to reach the summit with plenty of camping opportunities along the trail. 7. Sunny and very windy on the final 2 miles, with a tiny bit of route finding, but the windbreak at the summit was phenomenal. Need Advice? The scramble with a dog was definitely challenging and it was helpful with other people around to show where the path was or where a good route is to take. We take your privacy and security seriously and safeguard your information. Micro spikes helpful but not necessary. Dont agree with my list? Little Bear Peak - Class 4 (Most Difficult) Incredible views! Found restrooms at the camping parking at Winfield. Read our privacy policy to learn more. Not too hard, but very rewarding. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); My name is Mickey and you can think of me as your guide, travel planner and virtual sherpa for all future hiking adventures. Wilson and Wilson Peak comments? If you want an easier 14er set to high difficulty, this is the time to hike this trail. New data shared by the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative shows the number of climbers plunged to its lowest level in seven years in 2022, as many several popular peaks saw double-digit percentage declines. Editor's note: Information about the difficult of each peak in this article was obtained from100summits.com. Mount Princeton is a slog across talus-strewn slopes, with lots of slow scrambling required to reach the peak. Climbed Mount of the Holy Cross via the standard route. Took 5 hours up and down with plenty of snack breaks. If not, plan to add 2,000 feet and several miles to the ascent. Loved that the trail was easy to follow. Theres lots of dispersed camping along the road leading to and past the trailhead for acclimation. To be honest, recency bias comes into play big time when I start to think about them, but I should try to make a list for you all. It's no secret that Colorado's natural beauty is key to our state's tourism and economy, and the pandemic welcomed many people to our parks and mountains. Visually, Huron is just incredible. This includes El Diente Peak, Mt. As you approach the summit, you can either scramble or take the snow covered route. Busy at the top, but great conditions overall. There was an error processing your request. Weather was excellent and I would suggest having microspikes and poles on you just in case (like myself) youd prefer to use them even if for sections that are small but slippery. At 11.5 miles, it can be done as a long day trip or as an easy backpacking overnight adventure. Snow at the top. I bring it with me on ever climb I go on! This does have a decent amount of exposure though. *Arrived to parking lot closest to TH @ 4:15am (about half full). 10 Captivating Colorado 13ers to Hike - Uncover Colorado Great day and we even saw 2 mountain goats :), The best advice I would give is to get to the trailhead very early. This is called the prominence rule. I have done some ice climbing the past couple years on vertical ice and I am very familiar with winter backpacking . com (Guides, maps, photos & more). Photo Credit: LinksProductionsLLC (iStock). The last half mile up to the summit will take awhile. Views overall 10/10! Enjoy this Post? Your email address will not be published. It's important that you know how difficult the mountains you're climbing are before you hit the trailhead. I really enjoy Missouri Mountain. The result is low prices, friendly locals, and a more rustic, authentic atmosphere. It seems, though, the spike may have only been temporary. Learn More. Parked at the lower lot so clocked about 10.5 miles. Colorado 14ers Ranked by Difficulty: Ultimate Guide - The Next Summit My personal favorite. By the time I left at 0930, it was very packed. The Colorado 14ers | List of 58 Fourteener Mountains Was cloudy initially where we started but got very clear at the summit. 4x4 with High Clearance Recommended, 4x4 with High Clearance Recommended Tough but fun. The mountains are inherently unpredictable, and individuals must take full responsibility for their safety when entering the mountains for recreation. My dogs first! We take your privacy and security seriously and safeguard your information. Now that I have hiked all 58 Colorado 14ers, this video talks about my experience hiking them and ranking them by difficulty.Read much more about my experience hiking the 14ers and a more detailed ranking system here: http://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/ranking-the-colorado-14ers-by-difficulty/Purchase Virtual Sherpa Gear Here! The Missouri Gulch fourteeners, especially Mount Belford and Mount Oxford, are less busy than Mount Elbert and Massive Theyre slightly harder to reach and are less notable as lower elevation 14ers. Crestone Peak is a 14er (Fourteener) located in the Sangre de Cristo, Colorado. Silver King Peak/Magdalene Mtn. Other than that, beautiful trail and beautiful day. All rights reserved. If you're researching a route that's best done with snow coverage, you might also see Snow Steepness and Ski ratings. Definitely going back up the pass on the way back sucks a lot. That would be my biggest disagreement. Colorado 14ers: Ranking All 58 Colorado 14ers By Difficulty The Virtual sherpa 14.2K subscribers Subscribe 1.5K 69K views 3 years ago Now that I have hiked all 58 Colorado 14ers, this. Great conditions. I dont know your background, but with any winter hiking/mountaineering avalanche risk comes into play big time so be super careful about that before attempting anything. Quandary Peak seen from the east side of 13er Atlantic Peak. The Peak from the summit of Kit Carson Peak. Poles make it doable without spikes, but it was pretty icy/slippery and the spikes helped a lot. In 2022, it found a statewide drop of 8%, while the highest used peaks near the Front Range dropped by 33 percent. Climbers and writers have written and said many inspirational things while spending time hiking and climbing in, When it comes to climbing 14ers, Class 1 and 2 peaks arent a huge technical challenge. Be aware of your abilities and know what you're getting into before you start the climb. Via Easiest Route: Blue = Class 4+ Red = Class 3+ Yellow = Class 2+ Green = Class 1+ The final ascent is mainly scramble (and steep) so take your time, trail is unclear at times there. 1) Maroon Peak, South Ridge Route Standard Route: South Ridge Trailhead: Maroon Lake Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet Round-Trip Distance: 12 Miles Difficulty Level: Class 4 Climb Range: Elk Mountains The 9th most difficult peak, Maroon Peak, includes notoriously loose rock and difficult route-finding. Colorado's 14ers are pretty much all ranked as moderate or difficult in the world of hiking due to their altitude and often the length of the hike, but some are much easier than others, with fairly gentle inclines and minimal scrambles, as opposed to those which require climbing gear and a lot of confidence.

Capitol Peak: Snowmass/Maroon Bells Wilderness

. As I said I have done numerous climbs on vertical ice but am a novice when it comes to actual mountaineering. . With lots of 14ers near Leadville, whether you visit the area for a weekend or a week, there are plenty of opportunities nearby to summit a fourteener. We saw a Mountain goat! Any ranking the Colorado 14ers list is going to have some debate and I will be the first to admit that a recency bias may be in effect here. However, it's important to remember that no 14er climb is "easy." Looking to purchase a map of Colorado 14ers? Colorado 14ers: The Ultimate Guide [List and Interactive Map] Which 14ers are the dog-worthy ones? Quandary is the highest peak in the Tenmile Range, near the town of Breckenridge Colorado. Honestly, the whole day was hard, but beautiful. Great climb! The 14ers near Leadville have a lot of options! Climbers have called Mount Wilson "easily one of the most challenging 14ers" in the state. What you choose to use is up to you! Got to the trailhead at 5am, parking lot was decently full but still places to park. 6. Had to park park 500 ft away but it wasnt bad. There are steep switchbacks following which almost seem endless before vertically ascending the summit (1 small false summit). Ive enjoyed reading your various trip reports. Pyramid Peak- Class 4 (Most Difficult). There are a number of additional peaks in Colorado beyond 14,000 feet that are unranked and unnamed officially, but have informal names marked on some maps. Crestone Needle is left and a behind The Peak. The Next Summit LLC, and its authors, are not liable for any accidents or injuries that may occur. We drive a hybrid F150 and were in rock crawler mode most of the time. No spikes or gaiters needed, a couple of small stream crossings, no problem there. Ranking the Colorado 14ers by Difficulty - Virtual Sherpa Thanks Jamie, appreciate the feedback and support. Surprisingly calm at the peak though. Started just before 8 & was not crowded really. Here is my list ranking the Colorado 14ers, each mountain has a link to the write-up/video and more information about it. Photo Credit: Rachael Ketchledge; Reader submission. Standard Route: West Ridge and Southwest Face, Photo Credit: Katie Botwin, OutThere Colorado contributor. The Crestones seen from the west and south. "Class 1" means fairly standard trail hiking, "Class 2" means possible exposure, lose rock, off-trail hiking, and snow, "Class 3" means scrambling or unroped climbing required, "Class 4" means handholds and footholds will be used for progress with extreme exposure. Quandary seen from 13er North Star Mountain. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Photo Credit: Ron and Patty Thomas (iStock). Heres a helpful map of the Colorado 14ers colored according to their range. New data shared by the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative shows the number of climbers plunged to its lowest level in seven years in 2022, as many several popular peaks saw double-digit percentage declines. That is why I personally wanted to take in Grays and rest and enjoy it before moving on to Torreys. Stay up to date with our bi-monthly newsletter. Few exposed moves but nothing crazy. All 13ers (by Range) 13ers Grouped by Difficulty. This is called the prominence rule. A little sketchy in some parts walking the knifes edge with the wind. With a shortish drive, you can head over to knock out Little Bear, Blanca and Ellingwood as well. Trail is moderately difficult until the last 1,000 ft of vert when its pretty hard. Ive been hiking for most of my life, but even I was physically and mentally challenged along this journey. https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/about-virtual-sherpa/colorado-hikes-map/, https://ayvri.com/scene/gdkzqzv2kz/ckbvf8v5q00013b69ktos8f7l, The Amazing Benefits Of Mountaineering For Your Body, Mind And Soul. You either love Quandary Peak, or you hate it. Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: You have permission to edit this collection. Elevation: 3,200 feet (from upper trailhead), Mileage: 6.5 miles (from upper trailhead), What To Do If You Encounter a Cougar: 7 Great Tips, 73 Great Things You Should Do In The Mountains, Bravery on Four Legs: The Heroic Rescue of a Dog Stuck on Mt. What mountain is that in the photo on this page? Taken during a hike to the Quandary summit. The peak is stunning and worth it. Well share mountain news, resources, gear reviews, and more! Be wary of trying to combine this climb with Mount Columbia, as the traverse between the two peaks is difficult and requires some complex route-finding and navigation. The road to the trailhead is 10 miles of rumble strip. However, this is the easiest of the 14ers near Leadville, without a doubt. It isnt uncommon to see six hundred or more people on its slopes during busy summer weekends. You can unsubscribe and manage your preferences at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of all emails we send. With a bit of fun class 2 scrambling along its summit ridge, it is a great training mountain for more dangerous and difficult climbs later on. The 14ers of Colorado's Front Range perhaps get the most foot traffic out of all the 14ers in the state simply due to their easy access from large cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, plus their routes are some of the easiest to summit. Ran the rest of the way down which helped make the hike under 4 hours! Copyright 2018 - 2023 The Next Summit | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. Thanks! Of course I have to debate the list. Thinking about climbing, or are you preparing to climb soon? Quandary on the More Difficult list? Climbing aficionados call Capitol Peak "arguably the most difficult 14er in Colorado," due to is rugged terrain, a relentless climb up and arduousbackpacking trip to Capitol Lake. Got to the trailhead at 0300 and it was pretty empty. Excellent list! So many colors of flowers and water streams. Torreys Peak (14,267 feet) - near Keystone, CO Torreys Peak is slightly more difficult than Grays Peak and has all the same advantages and disadvantagesa gentle trail, an accessible trailhead, and plenty of fellow hikers. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Many of the peaks -- known as "approachable Everests" -- can be climbed by the average person, but experts warn even the easiest peak can be treacherous. Started with Grays and then did Torreys. Complete List of Colorado 14ers & Elevations | Colorado.com Where to stay to hike a 14er Tips for hiking the easy Colorado 14ers Additional 14er planning resources What is a 14er? Lots of snow fields on the back of Mount Daly pass. Distance: 17 miles. Quite a workout. Slightly muddy, quite busy, doable without spikes but an asset to have them for the last summit. Mount Harvard is one of the Collegiate Peaks, a small group of 14ers near Leadville named after major universities and colleges. -The hike is closer to 10 miles, all trails is NOT accurate. Standard Route: West Ridge via Mount Spalding, Photo Credit: RoschetzkyistockPhoto (iStock). Hey Patti any of the ones that I listed as class 1 or 2 are dog friendly for the most part. You probably wont find that on Quandary Peak, unless you visit in winter. Beautiful summit, snowy in parts but manageable. Quandary Peak is a 14er (Fourteener) located in the Tenmile Range, Colorado. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Why? Here's a quick rundown of standard route difficulty rankings, as ranked on14ers.com. Support 14ers.com Hiking the 14ers is a great way to explore new parts of Colorado. Be Proactive. The road is no joke though. I would rank both Snowmass and Pikes Peak easier, as there are easier routes. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Trail is free of snow and in summer conditions. Met a lot of great people along the way. Climbing a mountain is an understandably poetic experience. How many 13ers are in Colorado? The Peak from the summit of Crestone Needle. While many outdoor spots saw booms in attendance during the pandemic, and subsequent drop-offs as cities reopened, the CFI also blamed ongoing access and parking restrictions at popular peaks for the large drops. All hikes are assuming spring/summer conditions: either a dry trail or some snow along the route. At 14,272 feet tall, it ranks #11 in the list of 53 14ers. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Join 4,000+ other subscribers and receive mountain news updates, route guides, gear reviews, and other articles in our twice-monthly email newsletter. Started at 6am on July 6. The Colorado 14ers | Fourteeners | 14ers.com Very windy at the summit so bring a windbreaker. Excellent morning. San Juan Range 13ers. Colorado 14ers | List | AllTrails Select filters, then scroll down to see results. Well cover choosing the right peak for your level of experience, how to prepare, what to pack, emergency preparedness, and more! Thanks to the hard work of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, their newly constructed trail up the mountain makes this one of the moderate 14ers near Leadville to hike up. A lot of snow is still on the ground at the top and get slushy fast. Filter; Copy to my lists; Share; Explore Colorado 14ers - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Hike was busy but still managed to find some solitude on the way down. Beautiful trail though! 53 Colorado mountains fit this standard. That would be a jam packed 6 days, but certainly possible. Trail conditions update as of 7/8/23 Better views, and much gentler decline (belford decline is brutal on the knees). I recommend it, Hiked 7/8 Saturday Hiked without poles or use of spikes (though poles would make water crossing easier) and made it to summit in 2hrs 40min, also carrying a 6month baby old in an Osprey carrier. Colorado 13ers - Complete Peak List by Rank Entire trail was so beautiful and elevation gain was mostly gradual. Disclaimer: While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information about mountain hiking, camping, and climbing, we cannot guarantee the safety of individuals who choose to use this information. Select any combination of filters to refine this list. Hey Chris, take a look at my map to find 14er locations which should help you create a plan: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/about-virtual-sherpa/colorado-hikes-map/. Crestone Needle- Class 3 (Most Difficult). Climbers say the terrain in the Chicago Basin -- where Sunlight is located -- is quite loose and can be dangerous as it is susceptible to quickly changing extreme weather conditions. 1. Once you get into 2 there can be some tougher conditions (loose rock/sharp rock/boulder hopping) but if your dog has worked through the class 1 ones, 2 should be no issue. Mount Princeton is another collegiate peak. . These are the 7 most difficult 14ers in Colorado - Denver7