Topic

Colorado 14ers

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
Mike Whitesell BPL Member
PostedFeb 29, 2016 at 10:00 am

Does anyone know of a loop hike to peak bag some 14ers in 7 days? Looking to go May 20-June 1.

Ben C BPL Member
PostedFeb 29, 2016 at 10:26 am

Weminuche loop offers some fun 14ers.  Maroon Bells.  A collegiate peaks run of your choosing.  Loads of options.  Probably depends a lot on what class summits you want to do.

Edit-sorry, I just noticed you asked about early season.  Bad advice ^  The collegiates may work or the mosquito range 14ers.

Lester Moore BPL Member
PostedFeb 29, 2016 at 11:00 am

There will be lots of snow in late May early June, so most high peaks will be snow climbs, and road access to higher trailheads may be snowed in (such as American Basin for Handies Peak). And high loop hikes (such as the Buckskin/Trailrider/W Maroon Pass loop around the Bells and Snowmass Peak) will have lots of snow travel over the high passes in late May.

Any steep or rocky summits (like the Bells) will likely be mixed mountaineering, with steep snow/ice over rock. The Collegiate Peaks are a good option – mostly gentle (but steep) slopes and ridges with broad snow slopes – nice moderate snow climbs in early season. Also, gentle peaks with easy access like Lincoln, Democrat and Bross can be done pretty easily in the Spring with moderate snow skills.

Stuart . BPL Member
PostedFeb 29, 2016 at 11:25 am

Watch the SNOTEL snowpack time series graphs to get a sense of which parts of the state are most likely to have accessible trails at that time of year. March and April tend to be the snowiest months of the year, but if we have a warm dry end to the winter, then the trails will open earlier. Given the timing you may be better considering lower altitude options. Lost Creek Wilderness is a firm favourite before the 14ers are open for business without crampons.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
Loading...