Explore the most popular trails in my list Colorado 14ers with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Mount Evans (14,264') boasts the highest paved road in America, climbing to an elevation of 14,130'. Additionally, I highly recommend obtaining GaiaGPS for your phone. The Five Hardest Cruxes of Colorado's 14ers (with videos) However, it's an isolated and difficult 14er located within Rocky Mountain National Park, making it an accessible mountain for a lot of unprepared hikers. Lastly, access to Capitol, while doable in a single day, usually requires an arduous backpacking trip to Capitol Lake and a very early start on a subsequent day. I recommend taking two days to hike Mount Harvard given it is a 14-mile trip. Missed out on the London Marathon ballot? It allows you to see your track and location on a USGS map overlay even in airplane mode. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Rockfall is also a big issue on Mount Wilson, so take your time and wear a helmet. In terms of statistics, Longs Peak is only 14 th on the list of hardest 14ers to climb in Colorado. This involves moving horizontally over rocks with minimal use of your hands. Lastly, plan your trip in early summer when the snow has consolidated but hasnt yet melted out. Here are theicult 14ers in Colorado: Capitol Peak - Class 4 (Most Difficult) Little Bear Peak - Class 4 (Most Difficult) Pyramid Peak - Class 4 (Most Difficult) Maroon Peak - Class 4 (Most Difficult) Mount Wilson - Class 4 (Most Difficult) This article includes all fifty-eight of the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. These 33 peaks, which make up more than half of all the states 14ers, are mostly hikes with short, simple scrambling sections. Its very easy to go off route into far more difficult Class 5 terrain where falls are easier and almost always fatal. Indeed, Snowmass has proved to be particularly dangerous in the past few years due to these shifting conditions and has claimed a couple lives in the past 5 years. the only existing data available regarding mountaineering accidents in Colorado, Completing the Centennials - ending a decade-long goal on Thunder Pyramid, Cathedral Peak in August - Photographing the Perseid Meteor Shower and Sunrise from the Summit, Climbing the Crown Jewel of Colorado's Sawatch Range - Ice Mountain & North Apostle, Glossary of Colorado Mountain Climbing Terms, Backpacking in the La Garita Wilderness Area - Climbing San Luis Peak and Stewart Peak, Colorado Lightning - A Primer for Hikers and Climbers. Contiguous US 14ers : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering - SummitPost The class three terrain is relatively tame and short, making it another good option for your first class three albeit one with a much longer approach hike than others. As a class four peak, its even more dangerous and has a slightly longer route as well. But its also home to, During the winter, slick snow and ice make hiking more challenging. Colorado's 14ers range in difficulty from Class 1 day hikes, meaning you just walk up without using your hands or any special equipment, to Class 4 overnight climbs requiring the use of technical gear like ropes and harnesses. With more people heading to the mountains each year, alpine ecosystems and search and rescue teams are feeling the strain. The rocks can wear on your hands quickly! The long 13-mile approach and its isolated location keeps many people away, ensuring you a quiet hiking experience with more solitude than youll find on any other class one fourteener. On some routes, there are also significant areas of exposure and cliffs. Here is what each class level means: Keep these class ratings in mind as you review the list below of all the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. While it is not the most difficult 14er, its location in Rocky Mountain National Park and close proximity to Denver leads many inexperienced visitors to put themselves at risk often with tragic consequences. As you gain experience you can progress to class two, three, and four routes too no formal training is usually necessary if you work your way up gradually over time. With a name like Little Bear Peak, you might expect an easy climb up a tame peak. Colorado has 58 mountains over 14,000 feet (4,266 meters) in height but only 53 are noted as '14ers'. Its not been a particularly deadly mountain, though climbers have suffered falls lasting thousands of feet and been seriously injured by rockfall on the pass between Wilson and El Diente. The route to the summit of El Diente Peak is very difficult to navigate and is best climbed in the early summer when there is still snow along the north slope gully. Crestone Peak is the easier of the two peaks known as the Crestones along with Crestone Needle. After you get back to the trailhead, you think to yourself, that was actually pretty easy! You then set your sights on something more lofty say, Aspens Maroon Bells. I would recommend taking two days to climb Crestone Peak with a night at South Colony Lakes before you make your ascent to the summit. If you dont do well around heights, dont try this one. The Maroon Bells have claimed many lives through the years and are certainly some of the most dangerous mountains in America. Advnture is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Little Bear Peak is also a very long route in the Sangre de Christo Mountains, with a technical couloir known for slippery rock and lots of loose rockfalls. The summit block itself requires a highly exposed series of class 4 climbs to reach the top. Elevation gain: 6,200 feet. The rock on Mount Wilson is extremely loose and many people have perished on the slopes between Mount Wilson and the un-ranked beast to the west - El Diente. Experts agree: Capitol Peak is by far the hardest 14er in Colorado. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Use the guide to help pick your next climb, or chart out your route to climb all the states 14ers. My name is Alex; I started The Next Summit to share free resources with Leave No Trace and safety tips. Copyright 2018 - 2023 The Next Summit | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. This is a good way to plan your 14er trips if you are working to climb them all. A beginner to hiking can definitely climb a 14er with the right gear, preparation, and attitude. Jul 27, 2022 1.1K Dislike Share Save The ninja on the mountains 2.11K subscribers Capitol Peak is arguably the hardest of all the 14ers via their standard routes. Capitol is well-named. 1. For example, Snowmass Mountain requires ice axe and crampon skills, and Little Bear Peak has a high level of rockfall risk that isnt captured in this data. Although it's the tallest mountain in Colorado (and the second-highest in the lower 48 states), Mount Elbert has a well-deserved reputation for being a gentle giant of a 14er. The difficult section of climbing found on the upper 1/3 of the route is difficult to negotiate and offers many challenges for climbers of all levels. Mount Eolus marks the second of the Chicago Basin 14ers to make this list and arguably the more difficult of the three, despite my lower rating here. Make sure youre competent at route-finding before you try to hike up this Collegiate Peak. When approached via the Northeast Ridge, your ascent entails two treacherous gullies, loose and falling rock and technical climbing over vertical rock formations. It was heavily mined during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and you can still see some of the mining works while standing up on the summit. 14ers Number 41 and 42 for me, and they were quite the experience. Luckily, several of the easiest 14ers are super-obtainable for avid hikers. 1) Hiking Handies Peak via Southwest Slopes. 14ers by Difficulty | 14ers.com Wear a helmet, and be sure you can take care of yourself out there. Test each handhold before you put your weight on it and always wear a helmet. But what are the classes of 14ers? On the plus side, the Summit House at the top sells warm drinks and doughnuts to help you celebrate your climbing success! You can fast forward to a section using the links below. 1061 shares Colorado's famed 14,000-plus foot peaks draw a crowd of hiking and mountain climbing enthusiasts. Culebra Peak has the distinction of being the only 14er that is entirely privately owned in all directions. Lots of budding hikers do survive this process, but Ive known a couple who never made it off the mountain. Complete with a comprehensive map. For that reason, many people say it is actually quite a difficult ascent that should only be attempted by the experienced. Distance: 12 miles 6. Mount Lindsey is temporarily closed to public access due to liability concerns among the landowners. Many people have perished in the Hourglass over the years, including one of the most memorable deaths in the past 5 years - Kevin Hayne. Mount Elbert (14,433 feet) - near Aspen, CO. However the crux of the trip is the summit block itself, with exposed Class 4 climbing at 14,000 feet. Elevation gain: 4,500 feet. Considered one of the most beautiful mountains in Colorado, the Maroon Bells are also some of the most deadly. These thirteen peaks introduce vertical climbing to the list of obstacles youll face. I recommend backpacking up to the camping areas near Willow Lake and then summiting the following day. Most of the upper climb is spent scrambling up a gully before your turn sharply left for the final ascent up its southeast face. The 14ers of Colorado, ranked by difficulty | OutThere Colorado Most people choose to climb Torreys Peak too as it only adds a mile or so to your trip. 114 Colorado's 14ers range in difficulty from easy class one day hikes to overnight class four climbs. The rock in the Elk Mountains is notoriously loose and nasty - making it very suspect in down-climbs and even more dangerous in rain or snow. Youll find peaks, In the southeast corner of Colorado youll find Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to North Americas largest sand dunes. What To Do If You Encounter a Cougar: 7 Great Tips. San Luis is a hidden gem deep in the San Juan mountains of southern Colorado. Mount Belford is a fantastic 14er in the Sawatch Range and is a great introduction to mid-difficulty 14ers. Then, we use the ad revenue we generate to fund public awareness and education campaigns. Enjoy this Post? Additionally, Capitol Peak requires a lot of time to accomplish and once you are past the knife edge, you are committed to at least two hours more of climbing. I decided to lay out the hardest 14ers here for you in this article. A: The hardest 14er in Colorado to hike is generally considered to be Capitol Peak. Snowmass Mountain is usually climbed in the early months of summer, when the face of the mountain is mostly covered in snow, making for somewhat easier travel up the snow in crampons; however, the rock beneath the snow is quite loose and is constantly shifting due to erosion. Colorado's 14ers Ranked by Difficulty Jul 12, 2018. Once you have done all that, you will be ready for these nine most difficult Colorado 14ers. In most cases, its a nonviolent encounter a moment where your. A: Climbing the most difficult Colorado 14ers requires a high level of mountaineering experience, technical climbing skills, and physical fitness. 5 Easy Descriptions, 9 Best Hikes Near Great Sand Dunes National Park. Check out my route guide below for more info on this peak and the rest of the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. Youve been warned. The San Juan mountains are more rugged than the northern mountains. Q: What is the hardest 14er in Colorado to hike? A bud and I climbed the hardest 14er as our third summit in Colorado.We summited as a day hike and were complete amateurs to big mountain climbing. There are high-profile deaths on Capitol Peak almost every year do not attempt to climb it without experience and planning. Wait a long time until youre prepared enough for this challenge. Indeed, Crestone Needle has claimed many lives and is a surely one of the most dangerous peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Range. It is a difficult scramble with complex route-finding, significant exposure, and a long 18-mile distance. Standard Route: East Slopes. Visit our corporate site. The steep approach, coupled with a downclimb mired in confusion and difficult route-finding, makes Kit Carson quite eligible for this list. Feel free to let me know if you disagree with my ratings! Maroon Peak holds some of Colorado's worst rock and even the most experienced climbers have been subdued by the dangerous terrain found there. Longs Peak is the deadliest Colorado 14er overall. Mount Harvard is the tallest of the Collegiate Peaks, a subgroup within the Sawatch Range of 14ers named after prominent universities like Princeton, Yale, Oxford, and Columbia. Conundrum Peak is the easiest 14er in the Elk Mountains but that does not mean it is easy. 14ers.com. While some use it to assist, its recommend you avoid it as it could break at anytime. 2. The Colorado 14ers range in difficulty from easy class one hikes to challenging class four climbs. One of Colorados deadliest 14ers and arguably the most difficult, the crux of climbing Capitol Peak via the Northeast Ridge lies in its gnarly Knife Edge Ridge. Its also famous for a rope left in the difficult section. 15 of the Easiest 14ers in Colorado Perfect for Beginners | Local Guide I recommend doing it in the autumn when it is much less busy. Once you climb Mount Shavano, you can add another two miles round-trip to climb Tabeguache Peak as well. Here are the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. The challenge here is route-climbing. We take your privacy and security seriously. Beginning in 2021, the county instituted a parking reservation and shuttle program so you will need to plan ahead. The approach is terrible - either a long slog on a rocky road in hot weather or an insane jeep ride over some of Colorado's toughest jeep obstacles (OK - those are kind of awesome). You can find more info here. The rock is rotten and crumbles easily. However, you are still able to climb it legally you just need to pay a fee, currently around $100-$150, and reserve a date for your climb in advance. 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. With a 13.5-mile approach hike and difficult class two scrambling, it is a tough climb, but still the easiest introduction to this very dangerous mountain range. Not only does Capitol Peak have some very difficult sections, it has, in my opinion, the highest sustained difficulty out of any of the 14ers. The exposure there is intense and not for the feint of heart. Alex is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. There are numerous routes up this 14er: The North Ridge route is the most direct, while the Halo Ridge alternative is longer but provides more stunning views of the peaks and surrounding area. The local sheriff is cracking down on parking along the road, so get there early or you will need to hike up to the upper trailhead and add several miles to your ascent. Snowmass Mountain. It is one of two 14ers that you can drive up, as there is a road leading to the summit and to Summit Lake where this route begins. As class three climbs go, this is the last one I would classify as being on the easier side of things. You may need a parking permit or you will need to take a shuttle to access the trailhead area. It has one of the easiest ridge-based routes you can climb in Colorado. The mountains are inherently unpredictable, and individuals must take full responsibility for their safety when entering the mountains for recreation. If you are considering climbing one of the most difficult Colorado 14ers for your first or second peak, please reconsider. Here are the class four Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. Wear a helmet along this route, test each handhold before your trust it with your life, and do what you can to be prepared before you go. Start with class one and two 14ers and gradually increase the difficulty of your hikes and climbs over time. Ashley's guide to Colorado's "spicy" 14ers | Top o' the World This route may be class one, but it has a longer route with more mileage and elevation gain than any other 14er. Its more difficult than the standard Maroon Peak route, and rotten rock is a major concern. Best 14ers In Colorado For Beginners: Hiking Guide This was . It is debatable as to which holds the greatest degree of difficulty, but the traverse between Little Bear and Blanca is undeniably the longest, most exposed, and . You can unsubscribe and manage your preferences at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of all emails we send. Make sure you take a 4WD high-clearance vehicle to reach this peak, as there are two stream crossings on the road to the trailhead. Without experience, crampons can make it easy to trip, which can have serious consequences on class three terrain. The photo above was taken from the summit of Pyramid Peak looking out across the valley at the Maroon Bells and their insane stature. Sunlight is one of the few peaks to be rated as having Extreme exposure. You can also choose to climb it along with Mount Harvard which is just a bit further up along the ridge. Best 14ers in Colorado - Uncommon Path - REI Co-op The long route is the result of numerous switchbacks this isnt the most direct route to the top. Each of the 53 ranked peaks offers unique challenges and rewards. Photo Credit: RoschetzkyistockPhoto (iStock) Colorado's 14ers Ranked by Difficulty Jul 12, 2018. Elevation gain: 4,400 feet. Colorado's Fourteeners (14ers) are legendary. The peaks are ranked according to their class difficulty first, and then by elevation gain, distance, and route-finding within each class. Dont take on this double-peak adventure without a solid amount of experience and the right preparation and gear. Need Advice? Colorado 14ers | List | AllTrails Attempting to summit both of these peaks in a single day is a significant challenge, to say the least. However, once you get up there you realize that not all 14ers are easy or even hikes. If the snow has melted, consider climbing from the south instead, as that alternative is less loose when theres no snow. Youll find peaks, In the southeast corner of Colorado youll find Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to North Americas largest sand dunes. The route heads straight up the north face of the mountain, with lots of loose sections of talus and scree, so it can become quite a slog. I will rate each mountain's difficulty ranking based on four equally weighted variables: 1. February 2, 2023. Well share mountain news, resources, gear reviews, and more! The 14ers. However, the standard route to the top is difficult, dangerous, and not for the faint of heart. Most difficult section: this rating establishes the difficulty of the peak's most difficult section, 3. The following seven mountains are rate the most difficult 14ers in Colorado - meaning they're ranked as Class 4 on the hiking trail difficulty rating system and entail steep, dangerous terrain requiring ropes. The mountains are inherently unpredictable, and individuals must take full responsibility for their safety when entering the mountains for recreation. Its also called the bowling alley after the rocks that come throttling down it without warning. Copyright 2018 - 2023 The Next Summit | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. Here are a few additional resources and websites about the most difficult Colorado 14ers. Examples of this can be seen in my trip report from 2011. If you can hike ten miles, you can make it to the summit of Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in Colorado. Elevation gain: 4,500 feet. You can unsubscribe and manage your preferences at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of all emails we send. Longs Peak Hike: What to Expect When Climbing Colorado's "Deadliest Sustained difficulty: this rating establishes the peak's sustaineddifficulty over the course of the entire climb, 2. This is partially because it is extremely busy due to its proximity to Denver and location in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it is also because of the exposed sections, nasty weather conditions, and difficult class three scrambling. Torreys Peak is connected to Grays Peak by a short class two traverse along a ridge. Most Difficult Colorado 14ers | 9 Deadly Peaks | The Next Summit: A Ellingwood Point is slightly easier than its taller neighbor Blanca Peak. Capital Peak is the most difficult 14er to climb and one of the closest to Grand Junction. RELATED READ: FIVE MISTAKES TO AVOID IN THE MOUNTAINS. Learn more below. The Mt Elbert Hike COMPLETE Guide | Hiking Colorado's Highest 14er. Little Bear Peak is anything but little. It is the most difficult Colorado 14er to ascend due to a long approach hike, serious exposure, and horrible, loose rock that collapses around you. It has saved me so many times. Grab the Garmin Instinct Solar for its lowest ever price at Amazon today, For the best summer adventures, head to a ski resort. Though this route is the only non-technical route to the summit, it still involves nerve-jangling scrambling across a narrow, exposed ridge where one wrong move could prove deadly and indeed has done so for nine climbers since 2000, with five fatalities occurring in a single year. Other very difficult 14ers include Little Bear Peak, Pyramid Peak, and the Maroon Bells. The standard route, the Northeast Ridge, is rated as a Class 4 climb, requiring advanced route-finding skills, scrambling, and careful navigation. Get a copy as our gift when you subscribe to our weekly next summit newsletter with resources and news. I know there are 12ers and 13ers that are harder than 14ers, so this obviously doesn't have to only be based off of height, but exposure and other When it is clear you might consider taking the northwest ridge route instead. Hiking experience alone is not enough to begin climbing class four peaks. It is the easiest class three climb among the four peaks in the area only Windom Peak is easier. These are ones you should probably leave until last and approach with technical gear and expertise. Watch yourself. Required fields are marked *, One of the best things about Colorados 14ers is the range of difficulty they present. Do your research before deciding to climb any of the 14ers especially class three and four routes. In this video mountain guides and mountain rescue experts explain why Capitol is really a. Sent us an email: info@thenextsummit.org. Work up to a mountain like this instead of trying to climb it as a beginner. Be patient and take your time on this mountain. The easiest 14er to climb in Colorado is Handies Peak but only if you can drive all the way to the upper trailhead. One summer, a more experienced friend offers to take you up Quandary, so you get yourself some hiking boots at REI and hit the trail. Distance: 6 miles Because the list is grouped by class rating, you'll see some routes which may require more overall effort (longer distance, more elevation gain) higher on the page than others which have a higher class . While Maroon Peak is considered a class three climb, it has a ton of loose and rotten rock that creates a high level of rockfall risk. Mount Shavano is named after a Ute Chief from the 19th century when this was their home. Bring the ten essentials, and get started early. Choosing a class one 14er will give you the best chance possible of reaching the summit successfully. It is another great class two peak in the San Juans, which is more rugged than other parts of the state. In most cases, its a nonviolent encounter a moment where your. From there, it is a 6-mile hike to the Chicago Basin, where Windom Peak and three other 14ers await you. Its thanks to these old mining roads you can get so close to the peak! 5 Easy Descriptions, 9 Best Hikes Near Great Sand Dunes National Park. Climbing Colorado's Hardest 14er - CAPITOL PEAK - YouTube 100summits - Colorado's 12 Hardest 14ers to Climb White hiking shoes are a thing and we don't understand why, 6 tips for successful backyard camping with your kids, Apple Watch Ultra 2 could arrive this fall, experts say here's what we want to see, These are the best stoves for every type of camping chef, Reebok unveils new Nano X3 Adventure training shoes for the CrossFit box and beyond, Nike launches new Ultrafly Trail shoe with carbon plate and Vibram sole. The approach to Pyramid is fairly straightforward, albeit somewhat long and committing once above tree-line. Coming in at number 8 on my list of Colorado's most difficult 14ers to climb is the venerable, impressive and just-plain-freaking-awesome Crestone Needle - my favorite 14er of all. Mount Massive is a very appropriately named peak it is truly a massive mountain. How so? Humboldt includes tamer terrain, but a long eleven-mile approach hike that makes it an ideal overnight adventure. Many people may rate Sunlight's next door neighbor, Windom Peak, as being the more difficult of the two; however, I personally found Sunlight to have more challenging route-finding and climbing requirements. Distance: 8.25 miles You've been warned: these are the 7 most difficult 14ers in Colorado Redcloud Peak is one of the rare class two 14ers in this part of Colorado. Climbing 14ers is a dangerous activity; however, good planning, fitness, and awareness of the potential hazards will provide climbers with good opportunities to accomplish these monsterous peaks. To avoid a 50-mile round-trip backpacking approach, you can get a ticket with the Silverton Railroad and get dropped off at Needleton. It is my personal favorite of all of the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty on this list. In the realm of hiking Colorado 14ers, there are Four Great Traverses: El Diente to Mt. Each one would make a great addition to your bucket list. Learn more below. It has a notably flat top it is sometimes difficult to figure out where the actual true summit is located. It is a subsidiary peak of the taller 14er, Mount Eolus. First, you must take a train or backpack many miles to reach the isolated Chicago Basin. She loves to explore mountains on foot, bike, skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat. The Easiest 14ers in Colorado - Backpacker Windom is the easiest of the four, but with considerable exposure and rockfall risk, be mindful of the risk on this 14er as help is a long way away. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Handies Peak is the easiest of all the 14ers when considering class, mileage, and elevation gain, but thats only if you can make it to the upper 4wD trailhead. Dont expect much solitude here. Named after one of the most well known figures of the Wild West, Kit Carson Peak is a massive mountain of granite that somewhat resembles a large dome. It is almost always climbed at the same time as Mount Eolus, which is very close; It only adds 30 minutes or so to add it to your route and climb both of these Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty.