14er Newbie

[laforge296]

Planning on climbing Handies in July 2016. Coming up from Beaumont, TX (25' above Seal Level). Have climbed Uncompahgre (2000), Redcloud/Sunshine (2015). Any helpful comments are appreciated.

[MtnHub]

Go for it! I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to hit it; it looks to be more straight forward than Uncompahgre. Try to get a day or two to acclimate before your climb and hydrate well. Good luck!

[aweskamp]

I'd say just do whatever you did when you climbed the other three. Handies isn't as technically difficult as Uncompahgre or as physically challenging as the Redcloud/Sunshine combo so it shouldn't be a problem for you.

Side note: the American Basin approach to Handies is great, especially around that time of the year.

[jdorje]

On an "easy" day hike like that the biggest risk is going too quickly and wearing yourself out. Limit yourself to 1000' vertical per hour if you're concerned about not summitting due to fatigue.

[TallGrass]

(25' above Seal Level).

Wow. Some think KS is low, but I think you've won the Elevation Limbo Contest this round! If looking for something more, consider a Grizzly-Handies-American-Road loop. Try out some trekking poles if you haven't yet; 2015 stuff will likely go on sale soon. Hydrate

[huffy13]

Planning on climbing Handies in July 2016. Coming up from Beaumont, TX (25' above Seal Level). Have climbed Uncompahgre (2000), Redcloud/Sunshine (2015). Any helpful comments are appreciated.

If you've done Uncompaghre and the Redcloud/Sunshine combo, Handies will be relatively simple. I might add a suggestion though that may make it a little more interesting, just because it's what my kids and I did when we hiked Handies...ascend from Grizzly Gulch so you can take in the fantastic view of the mountain on your approach and then descend via American Basin, well, because it's American Basin and you don't want to miss out on that beautiful area either. It is a really straightforward and simple way to get to enjoy all that Handies has to offer. I am glad that is how we did it. It only adds about 2 miles of distance, and it is all road hiking back to GG from AB. If I ever hike Handies again I am going to do it this exact same way.

[Gene913]

Planning on climbing Handies in July 2016. Coming up from Beaumont, TX (25' above Seal Level). Have climbed Uncompahgre (2000), Redcloud/Sunshine (2015).

Lake City is a favorite summer venue for many folks from the Lone Star state. The draw is understandable. It is a favorite for many.

Have done Handies from both Grizzly Gulch and American Basin. Just not a loop that included both in one climb.
The loop suggestions above certainly have much to commend them.

Were I to give Handies another go, I think I would do it from Grizzly Gulch and add a climb of 13,542 Whitecross Mountain on the descent http://14ers.com/13ers/peak.php?peakkey=2250.

No bad choices or options for Lake City San Juan range peaks. Enjoy.

[laforge296]

Thank You all for your response and support. Hopefully the weather will hold and I can check this off of my list. Next year probably Wetterhorn.

[SchralpTheGnar]

Ascend as fast as possible, ideally just drive straight to the trailhead from Texas and start climbing.
Drink lots of alcohol before, during, and after your hike.
Bring minimal clothing, shorts, t-shirt and flip flops are all you need.
Don't tell anyone where you are going.
Avoid drinking water and eating food.

[beburke30]

Ascend as fast as possible, ideally just drive straight to the trailhead from Texas and start climbing.
Drink lots of alcohol before, during, and after your hike.
Bring minimal clothing, shorts, t-shirt and flip flops are all you need.
Don't tell anyone where you are going.
Avoid drinking water and eating food.

+1

[Cruiser]

Ascend as fast as possible, ideally just drive straight to the trailhead from Texas and start climbing.
Drink lots of alcohol before, during, and after your hike.
Bring minimal clothing, shorts, t-shirt and flip flops are all you need.
Don't tell anyone where you are going.
Avoid drinking water and eating food.

That's pretty much how I do all my class 1-3 14ers. Only differences are that I wear trail runners instead of flip flops and I'm coming from Littleton instead of the dirty south. So far so good...

Handies from the American Basin in July is awesome. I've done that one a couple of times and I'd be thrilled to have an excuse to go back to that area over and over again to keep repeating it.

[greenonion]

Thank You all for your response and support. Hopefully the weather will hold and I can check this off of my list. Next year probably Wetterhorn.

Do Wetterhorn this year instead - fun! Good early test for class 3 and some exposure.