What are some of your favorite 14ers to climb in Colorado?
I've climbed five to date, but I haven't done one since 2015. I knocked out most of the 'easy' ones:
1. Elbert (14,439′)
2. Quandary (14,271′)
3. Bierstadt (14,065′)
4. Grays (14,278′)
5. Torreys (14,267′)
Those are definitely five of the more popular ones. Nice thing is, once you knock those out and start hitting some of the more remote peaks, you have much more solitude and can enjoy nature and the climb/hike itself much more (at least in my opinion).
The term ‘favorite’ is a bit challenging for me to define as it relates to the peaks I’ve hit thus far. I’ll always have a soft spot for Longs Peak because it was actually my first 14er and it got me hooked at age 14. But it is Class 3, which turns some people around. It’s also in RMNP, so crowds are a bit heavier. Although many won’t make it past the Keyhole.
Some of my other favorites are:
Huron Peak: Based on the ones you’ve completed already, could be a solid one to put on your short list. If you look at the Browns Peak route (take a look at 14ers.com if you haven’t already), it actually allows you to hike this as a loop if you come down the standard route (could just go up
and down standard as well). I always prefer loops to a standard up/down if it works out.
But beautiful views at the summit of the Three Apostles and to the west of the Elk Range. Really can’t go wrong with any Collegiate Peak mountains. None are technical and all have very similar vert gain. I’ve based out of Buena Vista a few times to hit peaks in the area. La Plata and Missouri Mountain were others I enjoyed in the area.
DeCaLiBron: if you want to knock a quick four peaks off, you could do Democrat/Cameron/Lincoln/Bross just south of Breckenridge. Although I didn’t love this hike overall, it does provide another loop where you hit four 14ers in a relatively short/easy distance. Just make sure to check access and there’s a lot of private land around there.
Uncompaghre/Wetterhorn: I’ve just dipped my toes into the San Juan’s because of their distance from the front range. But love that area so much and hope to get there soon to knock more off. Just gorgeous and much fewer people.
My goal is to knock them all off before I get too old. But kids have slowed my progress on knocking them off substantially. I’d definitely check out 14ers.com if you’re trying to look up options. So many great resources there. I have yet to hit the Elks or the Sangre de Cristos so very much looking forward to discovering some of the more remote 14ers in the state.
cbs2iowa.com
