What are Colorado's top beginner fourteeners? The state's highest peak is among them
Summitting a Colorado fourteener is a bucket list item when in the Centennial State because the state has more peaks rising 14,000 feet above sea level than any other state.
Hiking, scrambling and climbing to the top of one of the state's fourteeners might seem daunting. But these five fourteeners are doable for the average person willing to do some preparation.
Here's what you need to know before you tackle one of Colorado's iconic peaks:
How many fourteeners are located in Colorado?
There are 58, but only 53 qualify as true fourteeners by most accounts, including 14ers.com.
To qualify, a peak must have at least 300 feet of elevation rise above the lowest saddle that connects to the nearest higher peak.
These peaks have elevations of more than 14,000 feet but do not make the list because they lack the 300-foot rise: Mount Cameron, El Diente Peak, Challenger Point, North Eolus and Conundrum Peak.
Easy is a relative term when attempting a fourteener, so here are preparation minimums
Start by doing shorter hikes at lower elevation before slowly working your way up in distance and elevation.
You must acclimate to high elevation. At 14,000 feet, the air has 43% less oxygen than at sea level.
You need to be able to hike at elevation for 8 to 12 hours while carrying extra gear.
You need to have essential gear and practice how to use it.
You should definitely do the hike/scramble/climb with a capable buddy or two.
14ers.com has a fourteeners checklist and FAQ to help answer many beginner questions.
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Fourteener essentials to help keep you safe
You can't start too early. Dangerous afternoon thunderstorms are common on Colorado's fourteeners. The goal should be to be off the summit and exposed areas by the afternoon.
Layering is critical to keep wind and moisture outside while keeping sweat from forming inside your clothing. Layers should include a moisture-wicking shirt and long-sleeve layer with synthetic shorts or pants and fleece layer and rain/windproof jacket in the backpack. Broken-in hiking boots are a must.
Bring 1 to 3 quarts of water and easy-to-eat foods you can munch on while hiking.
Go with a buddy. Tell someone when you are leaving, your route and when you plan to return.
Pack a cellphone. It might work.
Altitude sickness can sneak up on you and be debilitating. Be aware of symptoms and descend if you start feeling symptoms like headache, dizziness, tiredness and shortness of breath.
Why these peaks are rated as 'beginner'
The easier or beginner-friendly peaks include routes to the summits that are shorter, include a defined trail all or most of the way to the summit and can have less elevation gain over the distance traveled.
The routes to these summits are categorized as Class 1 or Class 2. The most difficult routes are Class 4.
If you want an easier route than these, you can drive to the top of fourteeners Pikes Peak and Mount Evans.
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Top 5 beginner fourteeners in Colorado
GRAYS PEAK
Classification: 1
Summit elevation: 14,275 feet
Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet
Location: 40 miles west of Denver with easy access from Interstate 70
Why beginners will like it: You will have plenty of company on this gentle trail, which is a good thing in case you need help. One issue might be finding a parking spot.
More information: 14ers.com/peaks/10009/grays-peak
TORREYS PEAK
Classification: 1
Summit elevation: 14,272 feet
Distance: 7.75 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet
Location: 40 miles west of Denver with easy access from Interstate 70
Why beginners will like it: See Grays description. These peaks are so close together that you can bag two peaks in one outing, if you feel up to it.
More information: 14ers.com/peaks/10011/torreys-peak
QUANDARY PEAK
Classification: 1
Summit elevation: 14,272 feet
Distance: 6.75 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 3,450 feet
Location: About 87 miles west of Denver, or about 7 miles south of Breckenridge off Colorado Highway 9
Why it's good for beginners: Its proximity to Denver and Breckenridge assures you will have plenty of company. The trail is well-marked. It's basically just straight up the mountain.
More information: https://www.14ers.com/peaks/10013/quandary-peak
MOUNT BIERSTADT
Classification: 2
Summit elevation: 14,066 feet
Distance: 7.25 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2,850 feet
Location: 56 miles west of Denver, 11.5 miles south of Georgetown
Why it's good for beginners: Despite its Class 2 difficulty, many consider this one of the easiest fourteener hikes because of its shorter distance and route that is mostly gentle with a few steeps. It's among the easiest to reach from Denver, meaning you can just follow the throng to the top. Mount Evans, at 14,264 feet, is only 2 miles from here.
More information: 14ers.com/peaks/10038/mount-bierstadt
MOUNT ELBERT
Classification: 1
Summit elevation: 14,438 feet
Distance: 9.75 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
Location: About 113 miles west of Denver, near Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the U.S. at 10,158 feet
Why it's good for beginners: Prepare for a very long day between the distance and elevation gain, but the reward if you summit is that you will can cross off two Colorado bucket lists: Bagging a fourteener and bagging the state's highest mountain. If that's not reward enough, the view of Turquois Lake is spectacular.
More information: 14ers.com/route.php?route=elbe1
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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Best 14ers for beginners: A guide to easier Colorado peaks
