A “fourteener” refers to a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet. In Colorado there are 54 of these, and climbing one (or more) is a bucket list feat of every mountaineer. It may not be Everest, but scaling one of these summits is still no easy task.
Hikes range from around 8-12 hours. Physical fitness and a familiarity with higher elevations are a must. The trek to climb one of Colorado’s most popular fourteeners is a challenging one, but the breathtaking view at the end is a reward beyond compare.
1. Grays Peak
Coming in at 14,270 feet is Grays Peak, located on the Continental Divide in the Front Range. This is one of Colorado’s most popular fourteeners, as it’s ideal for beginners. The trail up is heavily traveled, and spans 8 miles round-trip.
2. Mount Bierstadt
Another great beginner’s hike is the one up Mount Bierstadt. While a bit steeper in places than Grays Peak, Mount Bierstadt features a mostly gentle hike onward to its peak of 14,060 feet. This trail is also home to the serene and beautifully secluded Bierstadt Lake, and spans a total of 7 miles.
3. Mount Evans
More intermediate hikers can continue the trail from Mount Bierstadt by advancing onto the nearby Mount Evans. The two mountains are joined by a jagged ridge nicknamed “The Sawtooth” for its teeth-like appearance. Views from the top of the summit are panoramic and breathtaking.
4. Capitol Peak
For the expert mountaineers, Capitol Peak is a must, even if only for the bragging rights. With a round-trip of 18 miles, descent and ascent both are challenging, rigorous, and demanding routes. Steep passes and rocky edges rule out this trail for any unseasoned climber, but it remains one of Colorado’s most popular fourteeners for its beauty and perplexity. Views of the magnificent aspen forests and the icy blue Capitol Lake make the endurance required well worth it.
5. San Luis Peak
Beauty isn’t limited to the demanding when it comes to Colorado’s most popular fourteeners, however. The San Luis Peak is among one of the most gentle hikes, and one of the most beautiful too. With an elevation of 14,014 feet, the San Luis trail trades in any steep or precarious inclines for rolling grassy hills filled with summer wildflowers and tranquil creeks.
Related articles: Colorado’s Hanging Lake: A Hiker’s Guide & Camper’s Guide: Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado
Featured Image from Evershot/Unsplash
