14er Beginner Based in Colorado Springs Where to Begin

[Mike_Buccola]

Hi,
I'm an experienced hiker but only 3 weeks of CO hiking experience. My partner is a newbie but lives in CO Springs. Need advice on hiking some beginner 14ers out of CO Springs. I have 1 week to hike this Summer. As a beginner 14er, what nearby 14ers do you recommend? Would like to stay within a 2 hour drive from CO Springs.

[cloudkicker]

Yale would be the best bang for your buck, almost exactly 2 hours drive from the Springs with a paved trailhead, bomber trail, and gorgeous summertime views. Otherwise your only real options at <2 hours are Pikes, Evans/Bierstadt, and Sherman. Good luck and be sure to search around for tips on how to prepare (a 30 second google search or forum search should suffice, there are endless articles and posts out there making research very easy)

[nyker]

In addition to Pikes, you could target any of the Sawatch Peaks which makes a nice drive west from CO Springs, the more southern ones being a bit closer to you:
Shavano, Tabeguache, Antero, Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Huron, Missouri, Oxford, Belford; possibly Decalibron peaks near Alma.
You could do Mt Sherman which might be closer as the crow flies to you, though given the dirt road approach might take longer.
Also you could add on some 13ers near the above peaks to round out your day.

[Mike_Buccola]

Thanks guys for quick response. Very helpful.

Happy Trails!

[Monte Meals]

I know that it maybe a bit beyond your 2 hour limit,
but I recommend (several trips to) Winfield Colorado.

It is an old (now deserted) mining town in a beautiful valley
between several easy 14ers.

It is located between Buena Vista and Leadville and about
10 miles up a bumpy but easily passable forest service road.

Plus - don't forget the 12ers and 13ers sub-peaks of Pikes!

[Mike_Buccola]

Thanks I will consider the area.

[PikaSteve]

After you've tried a few Sawatch peaks, try Humboldt Peak for a change of scenery. Note: 4WD required and a bit over 2 hours from CO Springs to the 4WD trailhead. The views of Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak might inspire you and your friend to keep growing your 14er skills. A nice peak progression to take you to different areas while increasing your elevation gains might be: Mt Sherman, Mt Huron, Mt Yale, Humboldt Peak.

[cloudkicker]

After you've tried a few Sawatch peaks, try Humboldt Peak for a change of scenery. Note: 4WD required and a bit over 2 hours from CO Springs to the 4WD trailhead. The views of Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak might inspire you and your friend to keep growing your 14er skills. A nice peak progression to take you to different areas while increasing your elevation gains might be: Mt Sherman, Mt Huron, Mt Yale, Humboldt Peak.

He said he’ll only be in Colorado for a week. I suggested Yale (after a couple days of acclimatizing) simply because it’s far more beautiful and rewarding than Sherman. Sherman is good but it’s a 2.5-3 hour drive (depending on Fairplay side or Leadville side) and the views are nowhere near as great.

Good advice if he’s planning on coming out more after this though.

[Mike_Buccola]

Thanks again. Yale is one of the hikes we are considering,