Colorado 14'ers

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

It has been a few years since I've done one, and I'm itching to do at least a couple this summer - Torreys and Grays, which can be done on one day.

I've hiked up:

Elbert - Highest point in Colorado. Looooonnnnnngggg but not super tough. The hardest part was in the forest, which was like climbing a staircase two steps at a time. The top was an easy, gently ridge.

Sherman - My first one. There is an abandoned mine along the way. I don't recall that one being too tough.

Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross - These easily can be done in one day. Each one looks different. Bross almost looks like you could just drive up it. They don't count Cameron if you hike the saddle between Democrat and Cameron, but fock it. It's a 14'er.

Sneffels - The first time I tried this one, a storm blew in, aborting the hike. The alpine meadow near the trailhead is so beautiful. My dad waited down there while I made the hike. It's not a super long hike, but it's a steep trek through scree. A marmot got into my backpack and helped himself to some Oreos.

Princeton - By far the focking hardest. It was long, and there was a lot of scrambling over rocks and boulders. I still have scars on my legs. I'd previously worn running shoes with no issues, but Princeton demands hiking boots. I still have scars from losing my footing and scraping my legs on boulders. If you've got four-wheel drive, you can get to a camp and take a much shorter trail up, but we had to hike the long road from farther down.

Bierstadt - Tooking the family on a great Colorado vacation a few years ago, and we started up this one but a storm rolled in and we had to retreat. Lightning there had killed some hikers just a week earlier, so you don't fock around with storms high up on mountains. There is nowhere to hide. Rusty III wanted to try again, so we got up at like 4 a.m. the next morning to make the 90-mile drive to get to the trailhead. The first part of the trail has bridges over creeks and his pretty cool. The hike round-trip is around 14.5 miles, so it's pretty long. It is considered one of the easier 14'ers, but the top part was a lot like Princeton and more of a pain in the ass than I had anticipated. 

So now I'm looking at Grays and Torreys. Has anyone ever done these? Are there easier ones, besides driving up Pike's Peak? 

 

 

 

 

 

[Strike 5,421]

I've never understood the allure of 14'ers.  They're very popular here but I just don't get the idea of purposely causing oxygen deprivation to the body.  In flying, the legal requirements to use oxygen are if you fly above 12,000 feet or if you fly above 10,000 feet for half an hour continuously to avoid Hypoxia.   So I just don't get it.  But enjoy yourself. 

[cmh6476 1,023]

You better get you one of them hoodies you have to wait 4 months for to get one for $100

[Voltaire 5,281]

The 49ers are named for the gold miners in northern Califronia.

The 76ers are for the Declaration of Independence.

I figured the Colorado '14ers must be like pot legalization or something but clearly I'm way off.

[seafoam1 2,926]

3 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

The 49ers are named for the gold miners in northern Califronia.

The 76ers are for the Declaration of Independence.

I figured the Colorado '14ers must be like pot legalization or something but clearly I'm way off.

And then there's the obvious...liberals are sick. 

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

44 minutes ago, Strike said:

I've never understood the allure of 14'ers.  They're very popular here but I just don't get the idea of purposely causing oxygen deprivation to the body.  In flying, the legal requirements to use oxygen are if you fly above 12,000 feet or if you fly above 10,000 feet for half an hour continuously to avoid Hypoxia.   So I just don't get it.  But enjoy yourself. 

Altitude has never been an issue for me. I love them for the scenery, the challenge and the views from the tops.

My itch to tackle another one started after talking to a longtime friend earlier this week. He can barely walk and has liver, lung and kidney problems. His heavy drinking and smoking mixed with a lack of exercise has caught up to him. 

I run 10-15 miles a week and hit the gym four times a week. I also love to brush hog, and there is plenty of that to do in the woods behind my house. It's like a Crossfit workout.

But I'd like to kick it up a notch and add more cycling, hiking, kayaking and preparing for a 14'er. 

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

42 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

The 49ers are named for the gold miners in northern Califronia.

The 76ers are for the Declaration of Independence.

I figured the Colorado '14ers must be like pot legalization or something but clearly I'm way off.

There are 58 Colorado peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. I've been obsessed with them since I was a kid. Most of the ones I've hiked are in Class 1 or 2, but Sneffels is considered a Class 3. It was short but steep, and I vaguely remember having to actually do some mild rock climbing at one point.

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php

For a lot of them, the elevation gain is only around 3,000 feet, because you're starting at like 9,000-10,000.

This is why Mount Raineer, a Washington 14'er, looks to focking terrifying. It goes from about sea level to more than 14,000 feet. No focking way would I want to do that one.

[seafoam1 2,926]

6 minutes ago, Pimpadeaux said:

There are 58 Colorado peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. I've been obsessed with them since I was a kid. Most of the ones I've hiked are in Class 1 or 2, but Sneffels is considered a Class 3. It was short but steep, and I vaguely remember having to actually do some mild rock climbing at one point.

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php

For a lot of them, the elevation gain is only around 3,000 feet, because you're starting at like 9,000-10,000.

This is why Mount Raineer, a Washington 14'er, looks to focking terrifying. It goes from about sea level to more than 14,000 feet. No focking way would I want to do that one.

Clownzo obsessed with 14. Go figure. 

[Voltaire 5,281]

21 minutes ago, Pimpadeaux said:

There are 58 Colorado peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. I've been obsessed with them since I was a kid. Most of the ones I've hiked are in Class 1 or 2, but Sneffels is considered a Class 3. It was short but steep, and I vaguely remember having to actually do some mild rock climbing at one point.

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php

For a lot of them, the elevation gain is only around 3,000 feet, because you're starting at like 9,000-10,000.

This is why Mount Raineer, a Washington 14'er, looks to focking terrifying. It goes from about sea level to more than 14,000 feet. No focking way would I want to do that one.

 

We "climbed" Congshan mountain in Yunnan which is the southeasternmost mountain of the Himalayas. I put "climbed" in quotation marks because what we actually did is take a cablecar ride to the top and ran around the length and breadth, up and down each trail, of the national park at the top of the mountain.

Interesting place. Dali was its own kingdom 800 years ago with it's own culture and language before China's Yuan dynasty (read: the Mongols) expanded and absorbed it.

Internet says it's 13524'. That's as high as I've ever been.

[thegeneral 3,121]

1 hour ago, Pimpadeaux said:

There are 58 Colorado peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. I've been obsessed with them since I was a kid. Most of the ones I've hiked are in Class 1 or 2, but Sneffels is considered a Class 3. It was short but steep, and I vaguely remember having to actually do some mild rock climbing at one point.

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php

For a lot of them, the elevation gain is only around 3,000 feet, because you're starting at like 9,000-10,000.

This is why Mount Raineer, a Washington 14'er, looks to focking terrifying. It goes from about sea level to more than 14,000 feet. No focking way would I want to do that one.

Have done only stuff in PNW and nothing technical. Mt Adams, Mt. Saint Helens, and Mt Hood (this one did require to be roped up but we didn’t make it to top because of weather so won’t count it). Lots of small peaks that are nice day hikes in the area. All below 14k.

Most memorable Table Mountain in Cape Town, SA.

Rainier is def another level but is accessible for being such a big peak and tons of people get up there every year. For the most common route you don’t start up quite as high as you mentioned in CO, but you do start up around 6k and then stay at a spot at around 10k then go up. Very few deaths up there if that changes your mind

 

 

 

[Cdub100 3,887]

I've done all kinds of races but never up a mountain.

[weepaws 3,167]

3 hours ago, Pimpadeaux said:

It has been a few years since I've done one, and I'm itching to do at least a couple this summer - Torreys and Grays, which can be done on one day.

I've hiked up:

Elbert - Highest point in Colorado. Looooonnnnnngggg but not super tough. The hardest part was in the forest, which was like climbing a staircase two steps at a time. The top was an easy, gently ridge.

Sherman - My first one. There is an abandoned mine along the way. I don't recall that one being too tough.

Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross - These easily can be done in one day. Each one looks different. Bross almost looks like you could just drive up it. They don't count Cameron if you hike the saddle between Democrat and Cameron, but fock it. It's a 14'er.

Sneffels - The first time I tried this one, a storm blew in, aborting the hike. The alpine meadow near the trailhead is so beautiful. My dad waited down there while I made the hike. It's not a super long hike, but it's a steep trek through scree. A marmot got into my backpack and helped himself to some Oreos.

Princeton - By far the focking hardest. It was long, and there was a lot of scrambling over rocks and boulders. I still have scars on my legs. I'd previously worn running shoes with no issues, but Princeton demands hiking boots. I still have scars from losing my footing and scraping my legs on boulders. If you've got four-wheel drive, you can get to a camp and take a much shorter trail up, but we had to hike the long road from farther down.

Bierstadt - Tooking the family on a great Colorado vacation a few years ago, and we started up this one but a storm rolled in and we had to retreat. Lightning there had killed some hikers just a week earlier, so you don't fock around with storms high up on mountains. There is nowhere to hide. Rusty III wanted to try again, so we got up at like 4 a.m. the next morning to make the 90-mile drive to get to the trailhead. The first part of the trail has bridges over creeks and his pretty cool. The hike round-trip is around 14.5 miles, so it's pretty long. It is considered one of the easier 14'ers, but the top part was a lot like Princeton and more of a pain in the ass than I had anticipated. 

So now I'm looking at Grays and Torreys. Has anyone ever done these? Are there easier ones, besides driving up Pike's Peak? 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that’s cool, good for you and the family, that would be exciting times I’m sure.  

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,316]

id go for the 15's

 

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

3 hours ago, Voltaire said:

We "climbed" Congshan mountain in Yunnan which is the southeasternmost mountain of the Himalayas. I put "climbed" in quotation marks because what we actually did is take a cablecar ride to the top and ran around the length and breadth, up and down each trail, of the national park at the top of the mountain.

Interesting place. Dali was its own kingdom 800 years ago with it's own culture and language before China's Yuan dynasty (read: the Mongols) expanded and absorbed it.

Internet says it's 13524'. That's as high as I've ever been.

I've seen pics of some crazy hikes in China. 

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

59 minutes ago, RaiderHaters Revenge said:

id go for the 15's

 

Canada has nine mountains above 15,000 feet. Alaska has seven. Mexico has five, and I think the 18'er is relatively accessible.

[IGotWorms 4,057]

Colorado people kinda make me

I mean it’s cool they’re into hiking, but 14ers aren’t really that amazing when you start at 11,000.

Yeah a bit more of a challenge at that elevation but still

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

1 hour ago, weepaws said:

Now that’s cool, good for you and the family, that would be exciting times I’m sure.  

Thanks!

Yeah, I've always focused on memories instead of stuff when it comes to the family.

Our last Spring Break trip was two years ago, but last year, two of them were out of college, and Rusty III had to stay on campus due to track and field training.

2022 - Santa Fe.

2021 - Angel Fire

2020 - Turner Falls (Short trip with COVID coming on.)

2019 - Broken Bow

2018 - Smokey Mountains

2017 - Big Bend

2016 - I have no idea

2015 - Didn't do Spring Break because huge summer Colorado trip planned.

2014 - Multiple Texor state parks

2013 - ?

2012 - Grand Canyon, Colorado skiing.

And on and on. 

[IGotWorms 4,057]

4 hours ago, Pimpadeaux said:

There are 58 Colorado peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. I've been obsessed with them since I was a kid. Most of the ones I've hiked are in Class 1 or 2, but Sneffels is considered a Class 3. It was short but steep, and I vaguely remember having to actually do some mild rock climbing at one point.

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php

For a lot of them, the elevation gain is only around 3,000 feet, because you're starting at like 9,000-10,000.

This is why Mount Raineer, a Washington 14'er, looks to focking terrifying. It goes from about sea level to more than 14,000 feet. No focking way would I want to do that one.

Mount Rainier is legit mountaineering

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

1 minute ago, IGotWorms said:

Colorado people kinda make me

I mean it’s cool they’re into hiking, but 14ers aren’t really that amazing when you start at 11,000.

Yeah a bit more of a challenge at that elevation but still

I feel the same way about Colorado people. 

Have you done a 14'er?

Other than driving up Pike's Peak, I want the hike to be as easy as possible. I didn't care much for climbing over boulders on Bierstadt, and Princeton was just an all-day beating. I think I drank a 12-pack and ate an entire 14-inch pizza and was still hungry and not buzzed after that one. 

[IGotWorms 4,057]

6 minutes ago, Pimpadeaux said:

I feel the same way about Colorado people. 

Have you done a 14'er?

Other than driving up Pike's Peak, I want the hike to be as easy as possible. I didn't care much for climbing over boulders on Bierstadt, and Princeton was just an all-day beating. I think I drank a 12-pack and ate an entire 14-inch pizza and was still hungry and not buzzed after that one. 

Grays Peak and that’s it. So by no means have I done a hard one. But Grays Peak, I was kinda like man I’ve done tons that were harder.

I dunno, I don’t mean to be a curmudgeon. It is impressive, I just kinda get a laugh out of Coloradans who act like they’re the only ones with mountains

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

1 minute ago, IGotWorms said:

Mount Rainier is legit mountaineering

Yeah, and I don't want any of that, with spending the night, ropes, ladders over crevices and crampons and stuff. 

I just like trudging along. 

Mount Rainier looked terrifying from the visitor's center there. You couldn't even see all of it due to the rain and fog. 

I'd love to hike to the first Mount Everest base camp. But even when I was in my best shape, I didn't want anything to do with climbing that focker.

We recently watched "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible," about that crazy focker who climbed all 8,000-meter-plus peaks in seven months.

He blazed up and down Everest as if he were taking a brisk walk through Central Park. Excuse me! Coming through!

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

1 minute ago, IGotWorms said:

Grays Peak and that’s it. So by no means have I done a hard one. But Grays Peak, I was kinda like man I’ve done tons that were harder.

I dunno, I don’t mean to be a curmudgeon. It is impressive, I just kinda get a laugh out of Coloradans who act like they’re the only ones with mountains

That's good to know it's not a hard one.

It was like Disney World when we got to Bierstadt. The summit was just covered with people. 

I've done some where we were the only souls on the peak. Sherman was like that. 

 

[IGotWorms 4,057]

And to answer your question, Grays peak was pretty easy. It was nice but really just a long stroll. Constant low grade uphill, never very steep. We did not do others as we had a 65yo dude with us (in pretty good shape but still). You mentioned Torreys and I think there was maybe one other you could join on instead?

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

3 minutes ago, IGotWorms said:

And to answer your question, Grays peak was pretty easy. It was nice but really just a long stroll. Constant low grade uphill, never very steep. We did not do others as we had a 65yo dude with us (in pretty good shape but still). You mentioned Torreys and I think there was maybe one other you could join on instead?

Yeah, they're next to each other, and hikers just go down a saddle to climb the other. Stroll is fine with me. In researching the 14'ers, the easiest is one called Handies Peak, but it's way southwest down by Durango. 

I've driven to Colorado many times, but man that's a haul. I wasted like four days on the road. Yeah, it can be done in a day, but I don't want to spend all that time in the truck.

I think flying into Denver and renting a Jeep is the way to go. Maybe catch Grays and Torreys and one or two others. Looked at the Red Rocks calendar and didn't see anything enticing, although seeing the Avette Brothers there a few years ago was super cool.

I've done tons of whitewater rafting and mountain biking in Colorado. The Monarch Crest Trail was a blast.

But I need me some 14'er fix.

That's funny you mentioned the  about Coloradoans. 

Pretentious outdoorsmanship.

[Engorgeous George 2,290]

I don't enjoy scree.  Frankly once above the tree line, except for a few meadows and ponds, I have not enjoyed the hikes up 14ers.  Lots of 14ers just seem like scree fests to me.  The last 14er I did was 10 years now this summeer.  The only reason I went is my BIL asked to have his ashes spread up there.  His wife, brother and sister were to do it but the brother and his wife, my wife's sister, were unable to do it for medical reasons so my wife asked me to accompany his sister to spread him out.

I have enjoyed exploring some of the 10th Mountian Division trails and cabins.  Last year I dipped my toe into backpack rafting.  I enjoyed that but was lucky I did not come to a poor ending. At my age I need to be aware of my limitations, that I am not the man I once was.  Unsupported trips are always ill advised, at my age quadrupely so, yet I did two anyhow. I did some unscheduled swimming.

I doubt I will get above 11,000 feet again unless I am driving or sitting on a lift or in a gondola.

You mentioned Durago.  Great area.  Rivers, Mountains, Anasazi ruins just miles away.  Some wonderful biking opportunites nearby.

[weepaws 3,167]

3 hours ago, Pimpadeaux said:

Thanks!

Yeah, I've always focused on memories instead of stuff when it comes to the family.

Our last Spring Break trip was two years ago, but last year, two of them were out of college, and Rusty III had to stay on campus due to track and field training.

2022 - Santa Fe.

2021 - Angel Fire

2020 - Turner Falls (Short trip with COVID coming on.)

2019 - Broken Bow

2018 - Smokey Mountains

2017 - Big Bend

2016 - I have no idea

2015 - Didn't do Spring Break because huge summer Colorado trip planned.

2014 - Multiple Texor state parks

2013 - ?

2012 - Grand Canyon, Colorado skiing.

And on and on. 

I love that, high fives to you and yours, great job. 

[seafoam1 2,926]

4 hours ago, Pimpadeaux said:

Yeah, they're next to each other, and hikers just go down a saddle to climb the other. Stroll is fine with me. In researching the 14'ers, the easiest is one called Handies Peak, but it's way southwest down by Durango. 

I've driven to Colorado many times, but man that's a haul. I wasted like four days on the road. Yeah, it can be done in a day, but I don't want to spend all that time in the truck.

I think flying into Denver and renting a Jeep is the way to go. Maybe catch Grays and Torreys and one or two others. Looked at the Red Rocks calendar and didn't see anything enticing, although seeing the Avette Brothers there a few years ago was super cool.

I've done tons of whitewater rafting and mountain biking in Colorado. The Monarch Crest Trail was a blast.

But I need me some 14'er fix.

That's funny you mentioned the  about Coloradoans. 

Pretentious outdoorsmanship.

I find it funny you have problems with people absolutely everywhere you go. 

Maybe it's simply, you are the problem. No one likes you. 

[Dozer FBG 325]

I used to live in Ouray County, and of course Mt. Sneffels was dominant in the scenery. So beautiful!

But I was more of a Jeeper than a hiker…

Black Bear pass has a particularly high pucker factor!

The Steps at Black Bear Pass

[Engorgeous George 2,290]

16 minutes ago, Dozer FBG said:

I used to live in Ouray County, and of course Mt. Sneffels was dominant in the scenery. So beautiful!

But I was more of a Jeeper than a hiker…

Black Bear pass has a particularly high pucker factor!

The Steps at Black Bear Pass

Never got into rock crawling.  Sure I have been up and over old stage coach and gold camp road back when they were not maintained like they are now.  And over some gravel passes like Slumgullion or Guanella Pass in search of some elk, camping, and some whitewater shoots to run.  The thought of driving things like the Steps, knowing the surface might slip or that a tire might blow at an inopportune time, well lets just say that is not for me.

[Dozer FBG 325]

7 minutes ago, Engorgeous George said:

Never got into rock crawling.  Sure I have been up and over old stage coach and gold camp road back when they were not maintained like they are now.  And over some gravel passes like Slumgullion or Guanella Pass in search of some elk, camping, and some whitewater shoots to run.  The thought of driving things like the Steps, knowing the surface might slip or that a tire might blow at an inopportune time, well lets just say that is not for me.

In the fall of 2021 the wife and I went to the Telluride Blues and Brews festival (headliners Lucas Wilson, Samantha Fish, Larkin Poe).

After the festival we spent a few days in Ouray, rented a Jeep, and went over Imogene Pass (13,114 ft.) 

It was a beautiful day, and the trip was relatively easy as long as you’re not the type to get weak in the knees at heights… Some pretty steep drop offs.

[Engorgeous George 2,290]

36 minutes ago, Dozer FBG said:

In the fall of 2021 the wife and I went to the Telluride Blues and Brews festival (headliners Lucas Wilson, Samantha Fish, Larkin Poe).

After the festival we spent a few days in Ouray, rented a Jeep, and went over Imogene Pass (13,114 ft.) 

It was a beautiful day, and the trip was relatively easy as long as you’re not the type to get weak in the knees at heights… Some pretty steep drop offs.

Love that corner of the state.  Ouray was advertising for a town attorney maybe two years back.  Some search firm headhunter tried to get me to apply.  I would have loved it.  My wife, on the other hand, likes being on the front range.  She won.  I took a pretty decent sized elk out of Bayfield 15 years ago.  I like skiing Telluride.  The Animus is fun and is coming back for fishing, a bit, after its poisoning a few years back.  I still would not eat anything out of it. At least it has stopped running yellow and is back to blue.

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

24 minutes ago, Dozer FBG said:

In the fall of 2021 the wife and I went to the Telluride Blues and Brews festival (headliners Lucas Wilson, Samantha Fish, Larkin Poe).

After the festival we spent a few days in Ouray, rented a Jeep, and went over Imogene Pass (13,114 ft.) 

It was a beautiful day, and the trip was relatively easy as long as you’re not the type to get weak in the knees at heights… Some pretty steep drop offs.

Yeah, Ouray is a great little town. Sneffels is near there. 

[MTSkiBum 1,620]

When I hiked in the Rockies it was always to lakes for fishing purposes. I have fished some very high lakes, but I doubt any over 11k. The mountains are not quite as high where I lived as in Colorado.

[Bier Meister 1,687]

I haven't.

We lived in Breckenridge

I would just take the dogs for walks up the slopes (under the lifts) at misc resorts

 

[Dozer FBG 325]

21 minutes ago, MTSkiBum said:

When I hiked in the Rockies it was always to lakes for fishing purposes. I have fished some very high lakes, but I doubt any over 11k. The mountains are not quite as high where I lived as in Colorado.

That was my thing too. I got turned on to fly fishing, bought a Jeep, and got one of these:

Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme

Such great adventures!

 

[Engorgeous George 2,290]

39 minutes ago, Dozer FBG said:

That was my thing too. I got turned on to fly fishing, bought a Jeep, and got one of these:

Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme

Such great adventures!

 

Fly guys always look at me in disgust with my spinning rod.

[Pimpadeaux 2,405]

40 minutes ago, Dozer FBG said:

That was my thing too. I got turned on to fly fishing, bought a Jeep, and got one of these:

Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme

Such great adventures!

 

I wish there was some legit fly fishing somewhere near me. I'd give it a go.

It's pretty much bass, bass, bass around here.

[Engorgeous George 2,290]

First an undersized truck and now a spinning rod.  Why don't I just shout it from the hills?

[seafoam1 2,926]

49 minutes ago, Dozer FBG said:

That was my thing too. I got turned on to fly fishing, bought a Jeep, and got one of these:

Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme

Such great adventures!

 

 

[Dozer FBG 325]

18 minutes ago, Engorgeous George said:

First an undersized truck and now a spinning rod.  Why don't I just shout it from the hills?

You a bait fisherman?