While these skilled climbers are relatively harmless to humans, they can still charge if feel threatened. Stay at a safe distance, and never feed them or allow them to lick your skin or backpack. Be prepared, stick to trails, trash the trash and leave it as you find it. Stop by and pick up a trail map from the Breckenridge Welcome Center. Gear and maps are available at Mountain Outfitters.
How To Climb Your First 14er. Why are they such a big deal? By Breck Editorial. Here are the Class 1 Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. Of all the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty, it is the easiest. Click here for route info.
Grays Peak is among the most popular 14ers in the state. You can also add the more difficult Torreys Peak to make this a double-day. Quandary Peak is a classic 14er, and the easiest Ridge Route you can take. While this Class 1 route is a long, 4,foot ascent, there is no scrambling or technical features to slow you down.
If you can hike 10 miles, you can climb Mt. San Luis is a gem in the San Juans. The long approach of 13 miles keeps many people away, ensuring you a quiet hiking experience. Make sure you bring a 4WD, high clearance vehicle as there are two stream crossings on the way to the trailhead. On the plus side, the Summit House sells warm drinks and food to help you celebrate your climbing success!
These 33 peaks, more than half of all 14ers, are largely hikes with short scrambling sections. This involves climbing horizontally over rocks. Bring along gloves, too — rocks can wear on your hands quickly! Here are the Class 2 Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty.
Sherman is the shortest Class 2 ascent by far. The southwest ridge route also features a number of historic mining structures, including the remains of a multi-muli aerial tramway from the late s and the classic Hilltop Mine.
Click Here for route info. The trail up Mt. Bross is notoriously steep and slick: I slipped and fell at least four times on my way down. Cameron is not an officially ranked 14er because it rises less than feet above its saddle with Lincoln. Click here for info. Of the four Decalibron 14ers, Mt.
You also get to pass several more historic mining structures left behind from the silver boom era. Thanks to its easy route and close proximity to Denver, Mt. Bierstadt is one of the busiest peaks on this list.
However, the gentle, gradual climb makes this a great beginner 14er. The fourth peak of the Decalibron group includes a short but steep climb up the East slope of Mt. Torreys Peak is connected to Grays Peak by a short, Class 2 traverse. This route can hold some snow into July, so bring microspikes! The northwest route up Huron is a short but steep climb with many switchbacks. There are great free camping areas near the trailhead too. Culebra has the distinction of being the only 14er that is privately owned.
Click Here for Route Info. Princeton is the first of the Collegiate Peaks to appear on the list and only the second Sawatch Range peak.
These 14ers are known for their long, gradual slopes, making them easy to climb with hiking and scrambling. Princeton is a great first Sawatch climb. Redcloud is perfect for a second or third San Juan ascent!
Besides being slightly more difficult than San Luis Peak and Handies, you can add Sunshine Peak to your climb to nag two peaks it adds 3. However, the West Ridge Route is a more adventurous way to make it to the summit! Just expect a lot of wide-eyed tourist faces as you pop out of the rocks. Mt, Belford is a fantastic intermediate peak, with a lot of elevation gain. You start with a series of switchbacks into Missouri Gulch before climbing up the Northwest Ridge.
This makes a great overnight trip, backpacking in, and camping at treeline! Uncompahgre is one of the most recognizable and distinctly shaped 14ers in the state. Help us conserve and protect these fragile environments for the next generation of hikers, campers, and climbers.
Tundra takes years or more to recover once trampled, so take care in the mountains. Here are a few specific tips to keep in mind around the easiest 14ers in Colorado. It is a good way to prepare for the easiest 14ers in Colorado. Click here to get startted. The right gear will go a long way in helping you reach the summit safely and successfully. Start with a good pair of hiking boots , which provide far more ankle support than shoes. A good backpack is also essential for carrying all of your water and gear; day packs for single-day climbs, or backpacking bags for multi-day trips.
The ten essentials should round out your gear, including all the core necessities needed to respond proactively to emergencies. They include:. Layer your clothing so you can add and detract layers as the weather changes. The conditions on the easiest 14ers in Colorado chance change quickly, so the flexibility will be very helpful out in the mountains. The mountains can be a dangerous place! Follow these safety best practices to improve your chances of a safe and successful summit.
Handies, Grays or Quandary Peak — the three easiest 14ers in Colorado to climb. If you are looking for more help planning this trip, visit 14ers. You can also sign up for my Fourteener online course. I cover everything you need to know for a safe and successful first ascent of a Colorado 14, foot peak, including any of these three. Safe travels on the trail! Alex is an Eagle Scout and mountaineer living in Denver, Colorado.
He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. You can subscribe to his Next Summit Newsletter here. Since the Grays Peak trail is both beginner-friendly and easy to get to, it often gets crowded during peak season June through October.
Arrive early for the best chance of beating the crowds. Torreys Peak is slightly more difficult than Grays Peak and has all the same advantages and disadvantages—a gentle trail, an accessible trailhead, and plenty of fellow hikers.
The trail to Torreys Peak is also eight miles round-trip with a 3,foot elevation gain. A Keystone or Silverthorne vacation rental would be just down the road. Although only three feet of height separates Huron Peak from lesser mountains, this 14er is a quintessential Colorado hike that passes through alpine meadows and pine forests.
Huron Peak is a Class 2 14er with a good trail leading to the summit, although some scrambling climbing with your hands is required toward the end. Get plenty of rest, drink a lot of water, and know the symptoms of altitude sickness. The hike is challenging but forgiving, making it one of the best 14er in Colorado for beginners. Another Class 2 14er, Mount Elbert has a wide but steep trail that will take you all the way to the summit.
Mount Elbert is in the same neighborhood as Huron Peak, making Aspen and its neighbor, Snowmass , great lodging options. Try to hit the summit by mid-morning to give yourself plenty of time to get back down before the storms hit, and aim for a pace where you gain 1, feet of elevation per hour—so, if you want to be at the summit by 11 a.
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