14ers during 4th of July week

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bhatkya
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14ers during 4th of July week

Post by bhatkya »

Hello fellow hikers.. My first post here..

My wife and I are from Atlanta. We visited 14er land last year for first time in mid-june and hiked Decalibron and Bierstadt. We absolutely loved it. So we are making another visit this year between weekend before 4th july till weekend after.
We would like to hike couple of 14ers during our stay(probably around Breckenridge). We are also planning to visit Great Sand Dunes NP and Black Canyon NP.

We are okay with tackling occasional snow/ice patches using microspikes during our hike. But will freak out if we have to hike through knee deep snow. Can you experts please suggest couple 14ers which might have least snow/ice cover around 4th of July?

Thank you for this awesome website and FB group.
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TaylorHolt
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Re: 14ers during 4th of July week

Post by TaylorHolt »

We should melt out significantly between now and then, but it's hard to predict exactly which routes will be best as a lot of them will still have snow. I'd look at mountains with south-facing routes. Quandary would be a good option as well since it is near Breckenridge and is very frequently-traveled. Keep checking conditions reports updates as your trip gets closer.
Last edited by TaylorHolt on Thu Jun 13, 2019 11:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
“If you're bumming out, you're not gonna get to the top, so as long as we're up here we might as well make a point of grooving." -Scott Fischer
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SkaredShtles
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Re: 14ers during 4th of July week

Post by SkaredShtles »

You're going to experience significant snow on every peak at that time this year.
AlexanderShort
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Re: 14ers during 4th of July week

Post by AlexanderShort »

Oxford and Belford route would be a good one to check out. There is great camping along the entire road to the trailhead which is HWY 390. Or check out Twin Lakes. There is some avalanche debris you will need to hike over, but if you are a 14er seeker, this won't be an issue for you. Bon Appetite.
peter303
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Re: 14ers during 4th of July week

Post by peter303 »

Quandry, Elbert, Grays, La Plata are within a hour drive of Breckenridge. Only Grays may have an issue with road quality early season.

The snow melt curve is three weeks behind normal this year. Which means mid June conditions for July 4 and some snow.
SWatson19
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Re: 14ers during 4th of July week

Post by SWatson19 »

I will also be hiking some 14ers week of July 4th. I agree with what others have said, Belford route is relatively clear of snow at the moment and not far from Breckenridge. I am planning on doing Belford and Oxford in the next two weeks. Inn terms of access to Breckenridge Quandary is the best. There will be snow on basically all them but should be manageable.