Hiking 14ers in Colorado: My climbs to the top of 14 of Colorado's 14,000' peaks
I enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful scenery that Colorado offers. A few years ago my buddy Matt visited from Ohio, so I figured I'd show him a true Rocky Mountain experience - I suggested we climb / hike to the top of a 14,000 foot mountain.
We got up way early and drove out to Mount Beirstadt, parking our car at about 9,000 feet. We couldn't believe how difficult the hike was - even though we felt we were in decent shape. Halfway up, when you still can't see the top, and you've been hiking for a few hours, you can’t help but laugh when you realize you can't go more than a couple of steps without stopping for air. However when you reach the scree / boulders near the summit, the adrenaline kicks in and you climb like a school kid on the playground.
By the end of 2020 I had reached 14 of these 14er summits. A few peaks were close enough together where one could summit a couple on one hike. Each one, however, with it's challenges to overcome, both mentally and physically. And all with spectacular views:
Mount Beirstadt (July 2010): My good friend Matt Nahodil visited from Ohio and we decided to do this. Took us five hours round trip, including probably 30 minutes taking in the incredible views from the 14,060 summit.
Climbing Mt Beirstadt with Matt Nahodil
Grey's Peak (14,270) & Torrey Peak (14,267) (Aug. 22, 2010) - Nine miles RT, 6.5 hours, awesome views from the top of each…you do these together, walking a saddle between the two.
Quandary Peak (July 2011): Parked at 10,890 feet and climbed 3,375 feet over 3.33 miles to summit at 14,265. Total of 4.5 hours to complete the 6.6 miles round trip, including 25 minutes at the top.
Mount Democrat (October 2011): Buckeye’s first and only 14er. On a cold, snowy day we reached the 14,148 top.
Mount Sherman (June 2012): One of the ‘easier’ hikes, about four hours to do the 5.5 mile RT that got us up to 14,036.
Posing at the summit of Mt Sherman
Atop Mt Sherman with friends Clint Banks and Erik Carlson
Mount Elbert (August 11, 2012) - At the top of 14,433' Mt. Elbert, tallest in Colorado and 2nd highest in continental U.S. It was a grueling challenge with great rewards, but man was I sore after.
Mount Cameron (14,238), Lincoln (14,286), and Bross (14,172) - you can do these together, walking the saddles between each. Democrat can also be reached on the same hike (see above).
Mount Belford (August 11, 2013) - 14,197
My view from atop Mount Belford
Huron Peak (August 2015): 10 miles RT, took about six hours to the 14,003’ summit.
Mount Yale (August 2020): 9.2 miles RT, rising up 4400 feet to 14,200’.
Mount Massive (October 2020): 14 miles RT ….my 14th fourteener. At 14,428 feet, it is the third tallest mountain in the U.S and second highest in Colorado (I hiked Mt. Elbert few years ago).
