Hi. Looking for suggestions for an "easy" (I put in in quotes because IMO no 14ers are truly easy) 14er to take my flatland sister on. She is visiting and will be here about a week, with some lesser hikes in her pocket before we attempt. I have only done two myself (Pikes via Barr and Biernstadt).
I'm thinking Sherman or Handies? I'd like a shorter one for sure. She has done some decent hikes before (Mt. Washington, New Hampshire and the Long Trail) for example, but of course the altitude is a new factor. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, community.
Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 8/15/2020
- Trip Reports (0)
- Alpine Guy
- Posts: 394
- Joined: 7/8/2007
- 14ers: 40
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Grays if you're near Denver and can handle the rough road, and can get an early enough start to find a parking space.
Roll No Rocks
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Sherman is easier and shorter than Grey's. Do it during the week if you can. As far as I know the road is still drivable to 12k.
-
- Posts: 388
- Joined: 7/30/2012
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 34
- Trip Reports (1)
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Capitol from Snowmass for sure...
Joking, please don’t do that
Joking, please don’t do that
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Sherman is good, short choice and much shorter drive than Handies from Denver area. Road is rough for 2wd but it can be done.
Aim high to end high
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Torreys was my 1st 14er and I thought it was great.
Lots of people almost anytime, but a weekday should be better.
Lots of people almost anytime, but a weekday should be better.
-
- Posts: 1407
- Joined: 8/17/2018
- 14ers: 43
- 13ers: 5
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
If you want something relatively easy but without huge crowds, you could try either Huron or LaPlata. It sounds like your sister is fairly fit, so as long as she is OK with altitude those would be OK for her, and without the crowds.
Sean Nunn
Sean Nunn
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
- Alpine Guy
- Posts: 394
- Joined: 7/8/2007
- 14ers: 40
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
I took some inlaws up Bierstat on July 4th and it was such a zoo, I don't think they'll ever do another 14er. Kelso Ridge could be good, as long as as she's the adventurous type and has the background for it. But if you've got someone coming from out of state, why not do one of our beautiful scenic drives deep into the rockies for a more secluded experience?
Roll No Rocks
- DeTour
- Posts: 658
- Joined: 7/27/2007
- 14ers: 43
- 13ers: 6
- Trip Reports (30)
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
For a relatively vigorous newbie, I say Humboldt, if you have a vehicle that can reach the 4wd trailhead. Not too difficult and bomber views of Crestone Peak and Needle to fire up an appetite for more summits. Even better if you camp at South Colony Lakes.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Once torched by truth, a little thing like faith is easy.
Swede Landing, 'Peace Like a River'
The land is forever.
- Steve Almburg, Illinois centennial farmer
Once torched by truth, a little thing like faith is easy.
Swede Landing, 'Peace Like a River'
The land is forever.
- Steve Almburg, Illinois centennial farmer
- climbingcue
- Posts: 993
- Joined: 10/11/2011
- 14ers: 58 8 27
- 13ers: 319 23 11
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Suggestions for first 14'er with my Flatlander sister?
Not this summer, both of those peaks have had boat loads of people climbing them. I was super surprised to drive past la plata’s trailhead at 5am on a Saturday where it had rained all night and the weather was not great. Counted 50 cars
Consecutive months with at least one 13er or 14er, 73 months