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14er
Posted: Apr 25 2005 7:09 am
by Shi
I'm wanting to make some summer plans for hiking and would really like to explore doing my first 14er. I'm thinking in the Colorado area. Does anyone have an idea for where to go or which one to do first! I would like it to be the easiest of them, so I'll keep going back for the others! Mary
Posted: Apr 25 2005 11:16 am
by big_load
I'll have to check at home on difficulty, but there is a good (and very popular) concentration of them in the Weminuche Wilderness just north of Durango. At least a few of them are non-technical. Early July is about the soonest you could get through, but I would call for a real prediction.
I spent a week there last summer and had a great time, except for constantly worrying about lightning.
Posted: Apr 25 2005 11:20 am
by Shi
Thanks, that at least gives me a starting point! Mary
Posted: Apr 25 2005 1:14 pm
by Hoffmaster
I'm not an expert on Colorado 14er's by any stretch, but I would check out the Salida area. Salida is a cool little kayaking and mtn biking town about 94 miles west of Pueblo, in Chaffee county. There are at least 11 14er's in about a 60 mile radius of Salida. I don't know how many of these are non-technical, but I know at least a few of them are. Maybe this helps, maybe not. Have a great time if you go!
Posted: Apr 25 2005 2:42 pm
by sidhayes
The easiest 14teener that is closest to Phoenix is Handies Peak near Silverton. None of the fourteeners in the San Juans are difficult except for length of access and altitude.
Posted: Apr 25 2005 3:10 pm
by bryanmertz
I've been researching Mt. Whitney some - it's the highest peak in lower 48. You can actually do it as a (long) day hike - most do an overnighter or even 2 nights on the trail.
It's not as easily accessible as Colorado though.
Bryan
Posted: Apr 25 2005 4:02 pm
by big_load
sidhayes wrote:None of the fourteeners in the San Juans are difficult except for length of access and altitude.
I find the length of access helps with the altitude. A few days of slow acclimation is easier than charging right up. I should say that I haven't gone for the 14ers themselves. I'm happy just going up through the high passes and topping out a few 13ers.
Posted: Apr 26 2005 7:26 am
by Nay_Nay
Okay......I know I'm gonna sound really dumb....BUT...what is a 14er??? 
: I'm new to all of this!
Posted: Apr 26 2005 7:35 am
by joebartels
Mountain peaks over 14,000 feet
there's something like 53 in Colorado
some you can drive pretty close to the top and just hike a mile to bag the peak
others are simply fun!
Posted: Apr 26 2005 8:27 am
by Nay_Nay
AWWwwwwww..........IC.......Now I get it! 
Thanks for your help!
Posted: Apr 26 2005 12:03 pm
by ChefTIO
I have friends in the Grand Junction (Colbran) area who have climbed several around there. The Grand Mesa NF if I remember correctly.