Good overnight '14er for a beginner?

[SchralpTheGnar]

Chicago basin would be a stretch for a day trip, but it’s still doable for some with some decent fitness and the ability to run a few of the miles. Either way, I’m gonna do them as an overnight when/if I get a chance to head down there.

[andrew85]

I ended up falling just short, but I think Chicago Basin in a day from Needleton is doable. Put up a TR about it but I was trying to be in Thursday and out Friday and only took a bivy in which I used for a few hours around ~12,700' after finishing the Eoluses. I'm a pretty slow hiker (lol based on how often I get passed) but if I didn't end up getting altitude sickness between Sunlight and Windom which completely killed my pace and caused me to miss the train, I definitely could have made it so I know those fitter than me can pull this off if they wanted to. I might even give it another try in the future.

That said, I definitely wouldn't recommend Chicago Basin as a beginner overnighter. TBH most of the best/necessary overnighters are for the harder peaks, but as far as beginner peaks go I don't think you can beat the Barr Camp experience on Pikes.

[Scott P]

Is it just me, or is it weird that we're discussing/suggesting doing the Chicago Basin peaks in a day, when the original poster is asking for a nice backpack trip for some beginners, preferably for one to two nights?

[highpilgrim]

Is it just me, or is it weird that we're discussing/suggesting doing the Chicago Basin peaks in a day, when the original poster is asking for a nice backpack trip for some beginners, preferably for one to two nights?

That makes it easier to prove yours is bigger whereas an answer to the OP's question does not.

[12ersRule]

Back in the day, Chicago Basin in a day from Purgatory would be no prob for me. Not sure which day that was, but I'm sure there was a day where I would be up for it.

[teamdonkey]

16 miles in, climb a 14'er or three, then 16 miles back out? Who wouldn't want to day trip that! Hell I might head out there after work tonight.

To answer the OP, I second the idea of Evans via Echo Lake. Beautiful area, secluded at night but a fair amount of traffic during the day. If anything happens or you just decide to bail there are a ton of options for help. I hear upper Chicago Lake has some nice fishing as well.

[mtnkub]

For overnight for easy 14ers i'd second these two:
-Missouri Gulch (for Bel/Ox and Missouri Mtn) and
-Horn Fork Basin (for Harvard and Columbia, if/when the trail to Columbia is finished this summer).
These camps make most sense to me, as both enable two consecutive 14er day hikes (to combine 14ers that would be hard in a single day from the TH, especially on "beginners" routes). Neither of these two hikes will beat the views from Humboldt though.

[CaptCO]

A lot of good posts on here. Tabeguache/La Plata alternate routes were good. Massive can be good if you have 4wd and get a spot early. I’ve camped at Bel/Ox but it was nothing too crazy. San Luis is a pristine area with lots of options, Humboldt via south colony would be a nice hike. I do remember being jealous of everyone camped near treeline on Harvard when I hiked that, absolutely beautiful area.

[bdwyer]

Camping above treelike is great if wind protected...just need to be more creative or have a food canister or storing your food if packing.

My favorite place to camp near 14ers does not involve a backpack, and I camped there close to 10 times in order to climb the 3 easy thirteen's (Handies, Redclous, Sunshine) from the campsite as well as innumerable 13ers and 12ers,etc. The Silver/Grizzly Gulch T/Hs site outside of Lake City. All the books have directions to it. Clearance vehicle to get there, but I've seen sedans get there. You can mountain bike and pack from there with it as a base camp if packing is what you want to do.

[ltlFish99]

I think anyone of the following would be nice:
Evan's from one of the Chicago lakes.
Missouri, belford or oxford from Missouri gulch.
Harvard or Columbia.
Handiest, Sunshine or redcloud.

[rgsaxman]

Little Brown's Creek route on Antero was a nice way to avoid the crowds. Found a great campsite and the next day was easy to summit and then pack up camp. Also depending on weather, Upper SCL and then the West Ridge of Humboldt (views).

[diver16]

Is there a water source at the trailhead for Missouri Mountain?