Climbing
to the top of a peak that is almost three miles above sea level might sound impossible (or at the very least a pursuit only for elite climbers). While it is true that there is no such thing as an “easy” 14er, Colorado offers a handful of peaks that regular mortals can do—with a little planning, of course. It’s pretty much a law that to live in or visit Colorado, you can’t call yourself a hiker without bagging one of the 50+ peaks 
in the state that come in at over 14,000 fee
t.
to the top of a peak that is almost three miles above sea level might sound impossible (or at the very least a pursuit only for elite climbers). While it is true that there is no such thing as an “easy” 14er, Colorado offers a handful of peaks that regular mortals can do—with a little planning, of course. It’s pretty much a law that to live in or visit Colorado, you can’t call yourself a hiker without bagging one of the 50+ peaks in the state that come in at over 14,000 feet.  |
| Mount Bierstadt is a good choice for your first 14er, too. Image via Patricia Henschen |
Even though this list includes relatively easy day hikes, tackling something like this should not be taken lightly. It’s important to have a baseline of fitness (none of these should be “off the couch” adventures) and even get in some shorter hikes with your pack before tackling one of these summits, if possible. You’ll need to choose a peak, carefully monitor the weather, and plan for an early start to avoid the potentially dangerous afternoon thunderstorms. Many people start as early as 4 am in order to come back down by 11 am at the latest. Even if it’s 90 degrees down in Denver, the summit can be cold and windy, so bring a jacket and maybe even a hat and gloves. Even though the trails mentioned here are pretty well-traveled, you’ll want to get yourself a decent pair of hiking boots for the trip. For more information about each of the hikes listed and how to prepare, check out 14ers.com – they are a great resource.
Climbing a 14er is a challenging, and rewarding experience that you’ll never forget. With the right gear in your Osprey day pack
, including sunscreen plus plenty of water and snacks, hiking a 14er can be really fun. If you’re looking to tackle one of your first 14ers, check out this list and get planning!
, including sunscreen plus plenty of water and snacks, hiking a 14er can be really fun. If you’re looking to tackle one of your first 14ers, check out this list and get planning!1. MT. BIERSTADT
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| You might find a new friend as you hike along the saddle between Grays and Torreys. Image via Zach Dischner |
Most Coloradans agree that Mt. Bierstadt is one of the easiest 14ers, therefore it’s a good place to start. Situated at 14,060 feet, right on the Front Range of the Rockies, it’s easily accessible from the Denver/Boulder area. It’s a fairly casual seven miles round trip, with just under 2,800 feet of gradual climbing, making car-to-car time around five hours.
The route isn’t technically challenging, and you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty and expansive views. On the way up, a wildflower-covered basin reveals the peak in the distance, and the stunning vistas of Grays and Torreys to the northwest serve as a scouting mission for next weekend. From the summit, check out the gorgeous Frozen Lake and the Sawtooth ridge, stretching all the way to Mt. Evans (that summit has a road to the top – it doesn’t count to drive it).
2. GRAYS AND TORREYS
Though the route is not as easy as others on this list, the combination of Grays and Torreys is the easiest way to tick off two 14ers in a single hike. Located about 40 miles west of Denver in the southern Rocky Mountains on the Continental Divide, this adventure is 8.5 miles round trip with 3,600 feet of elevation gain. Plan to be out there for about six hours.Continental Divide
When hiking up the Grays standard route, the rocky, windswept summits come into view quickly, and then they loom and taunt climbers for most of the hike. A saddle links the Grays summit at 14,278 feet to the 14,275-foot Torreys, and is the perfect place to soak in the view of brilliant green tundra dotted with colorful wildflowers and white patches of lingering snow.
3. MT. SHERMAN
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| Mt. Sherman is a steady, gradual climb that you can do in around four hours or less. Image via Katie Dills |
Further southwest in the Mosquito Range
is Mt. Sherman
(14,036 feet)—one of the shortest big mountain hikes of the Centennial state. At only five miles round trip, it is many hikers’ first 14er, with a steady, gradual climb of around 2,000 feet. Bagging Sherman in four hours or less is pretty standard.
is Mt. Sherman (14,036 feet)—one of the shortest big mountain hikes of the Centennial state. At only five miles round trip, it is many hikers’ first 14er, with a steady, gradual climb of around 2,000 feet. Bagging Sherman in four hours or less is pretty standard.
Perfect for history buffs, the route goes past the ruins of gold, silver, and zinc mines that make for interesting photo ops. In 1967, a Cessna plane crashed in the area, and though all passengers on board survived, the plane itself didn’t make it. Some of the remnants can still be seen today if you look for them. On the saddle between the Sherman summit and the 13,748-foot peak of Mt. Sheridan, you’ll see Twin Lakes and the hardscrabble town of Leadville—the highest incorporated city in the country. From the summit, check out Mt. Elbert to the southwest and Pikes Peak to the east. You can also see Lincoln, Democrat, and Bross to the north—a bold hike above Breckenridge where it’s possible to summit all three peaks in one fell swoop.
4. QUANDARY PEAK
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| Hiking poles can be helpful to make the steep trek up Quandary Peak. Image via Katie Dills |
Quandary Peak is on the shorter side at just under seven miles round trip, but don’t be fooled—it’s steep. The last 0.8-mile climbs 1,100 feet and has made more than a few people question their dedication to hiking. But it makes this list due to its few technical challenges, moderate distance, and straightforward route finding.
This peak is the only 14er in the rugged Tenmile Range, which is 20 minutes outside of Breckenridge. You’ll spend most of the day above the tree line on this one, so don’t expect wildflowers and forests, but Quandary is one of the best places to spot mountain goats. A climb of 3,500 feet will get you to the 14,271-foot summit, and once you get up there, have the camera ready for breathtaking views of Mt. Bross, Lincoln, Cameron, and Democrat to the south, and Pacific and Crystal Peaks to the north. Way off in the distance lies the Gore Range of the southern Rockies.
5. MOUNT MASSIVE
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| Mount Massive is the second-highest 14er in Colorado. Image via David Herrera |
Mount Massive is the third highest peak in the Lower 48 states and is Colorado’s second highest 14er at 14,421 feet. Part of the Sawatch Range, get ready for a long day: 14 miles round trip with 4,400 feet of gain. Luckily, there are plenty of beautiful views to keep you distracted: the Arkansas Valley and the town of Leadville stretch out below, and you can also see Turquoise Lake and the Arkansas River along the way.
There’s a decent trail up to about 13,900 feet, and from there, it’s a moderately easy scramble to the top. Be warned though, the scramble has a few false summits, but once on the summit proper, those that persevere are treated to what some call the best views in Colorado. Be on the lookout for some of the mountain’s residents: pika, mountain goat, elk, mule deer, moose, and marmots.
WHAT TO PACK
We suggest sticking the following items into your Osprey bag when planning to summit a 14er:
- Food
. Even if you’ve decided on one of the shorter hikes, bring some snacks (granola, energy bar, dried fruit, etc.). For a longer hike, consider throwing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in there, too.
- Water.
Fill up the reservoir in your pack and throw in an extra water bottle. It’s always better to have too much water than not enough.
- Jacket, hat, gloves.
As we mentioned before, the summit can be cold, and the temperature can drop quickly. Depending on what time of year you go, it could snow at the higher elevations.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm.
As you go up in elevation, the sun gets stronger.
- Headlamp
. This is especially necessary if you’re starting before dawn.
- Multitool or knife
. Always good to have when you’re out in the wilderness.
- First Aid Kit
. Also something that’s always good to have when you’re out in the wilderness.
- Watch
. It’s important to keep track of your time and pace to avoid the afternoon storms.
- Compass.
You never know what could happen out there, so bring a traditional compass or use the one on your cell phone. If you’re depending on your cell phone, bring a solar phone charger, too.
- Map. Just in case you get off-route, a map is a good backup.
- Waterproof shell. You don’t want to get soaked halfway through a 14-mile hike.
- A non-cotton long-sleeved shirt. Cotton stays wet and clings to your body, so whether it’s rain or just sweat, you want to be dry. Merino wool is a popular option.
When to Go
The official season for 14ers in Colorado is July to September, with huge variability depending on how much snow fell that year, which range the peak is in, and a variety of other factors. Snow has been known to fall in every month, and it’s almost always going to be windy at the top.
In the summer, afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are the most serious concerns, so aim to be on the summit by 11 a.m. For planning purposes, know that a good average speed is about 1,000 vertical feet an hour.
While some of these routes are a little more difficult than the others, any of them would be a good choice for your first summit. But you should know that once you snap that first summit selfie, you’ll likely be hooked and might even find yourself going for all of five of these in one summer (which is totally possible and highly recommended).
Originally written by RootsRated for Osprey Packs.
Featured image provided by Katie Dills
Source: Osprey Packs
Source: Osprey Packs
