Gray’s vs. Quandary vs. Mt. Elbert?

[two lunches]

I would not recommend Elbert as your first 14er unless you are pretty lean and fit; it is over 4000 feet elevation gain as compared to 3000 (or a little less) for Sherman, Torreys, Quandary, or Bierstadt.

bump.

[highpilgrim]

bump.

Seems as if you have an opinion of his opinion. Why not comment?

[two lunches]

bump.

Seems as if you have an opinion of his opinion. Why not comment?

oh, i really couldn't have said it better myself but i'll expand on my bump:

i took two people up elbert as their first 14ers. it's technically very straightforward, but the elevation gain is quite a lot and i overlooked that part when i was searching for an "easy" route (rookie mistake on my part). one person got gassed at treeline and turned around. i've also had people biff on la plata SW ridge, san luis, quandary, and on grizzly d, but to be fair- the latter attempts were by pack-a-day (at least) smokers.

i admire the heck out of people who repeatedly help first timers-- i don't think i'm cut out for it.

[Ptglhs]

i took two people up elbert as their first 14ers. it's technically very straightforward, but the elevation gain is quite a lot and i overlooked that part when i was searching for an "easy" route (rookie mistake on my part). one person got gassed at treeline and turned around. i've also had people biff on la plata SW ridge, san luis, quandary, and on grizzly d, but to be fair- the latter attempts were by pack-a-day (at least) smokers.

i admire the heck out of people who repeatedly help first timers-- i don't think i'm cut out for it.

I enjoy helping people up mountains, 1st time or not. I've helped 3 people up their 1st 14er and 3 up their 1st 13er. My only caveat is that it not be on a weekend.

Truth be told I'm jonesing to get back out there. I don't know if I'll get any more winter Peaks done before the 21st and I really don't see much point in heading up in April or May; no snowflake, but all the fun conditions of one.

I agree, Elbert isn't what I would call an easy beginning to peak bagging. My 1st one was Pikes, via Barr. :/ Poor life choice on my part there.

[disentangled]

my 14 year-old kiddo is asking to do a 14er with me this summer. he's never hiked a 14er although he has done a lot of hiking with me here in new mexico, including one 12er. i actually really liked the San Luis Peak suggestion that is noted in the previous comments, especially if we hike it on a weekday!

[Mtnman200]

my 14 year-old kiddo is asking to do a 14er with me this summer. he's never hiked a 14er although he has done a lot of hiking with me here in new mexico, including one 12er. i actually really liked the San Luis Peak suggestion that is noted in the previous comments, especially if we hike it on a weekday!

If you must try a 14er on the weekend, San Luis is probably the best choice because it's not a particularly popular peak due to its location. I'd still rather go on a weekday if possible, but it won't be the end of the world if you try San Luis on a weekend.

[Ptglhs]

If you must try a 14er on the weekend, San Luis is probably the best choice because it's not a particularly popular peak due to its location. I'd still rather go on a weekday if possible, but it won't be the end of the world if you try San Luis on a weekend.

I agree. I've done a couple peaks in the San Juans on weekends in late June or early July -I usually work all but 2 summer weekends- and I think there are as many people on a San Juan 14er on a weekend as a front range or Tensquito 14er during the week. On seperate weekday trips to Sunshine/Redcloud, El Diente, and Wilson I saw only one or 2 other groups the whole time I was out. Wetterhorn, or the other Wilson, on a Sat had about 40 people that I saw.

[two lunches]

Truth be told I'm jonesing to get back out there.

i still owe ya a hot cocoa

[Above_Treeline]

I did Huron last summer. The 2wd parking adds an extra 2 miles each way, to 4wd th, but it was relatively flat & easy I thought. Took right at 45 minutes on the way up. Kind of a pain on the way down though. But I was pretty tired from 3 days hiking.

It is supposed to be one of the more scenic, and easier, 14er routes. I'd hiked a lot the 2 days before and had issues, but I don't know that it's that hard, for a 14er. Gets steeper as you go up though. Lots of other peaks in the area. Hoping to get back.

I might try a 2wd pickup, to 4wd th, but we had a car.

[AlexKnowles]

Remember that summer high country hikes require a very early alpine start (or you'll never get a parking place on these peaks).

Can I ask how early you would recommend arriving for a summer weekend hike? Thank you!

[two lunches]

Remember that summer high country hikes require a very early alpine start (or you'll never get a parking place on these peaks).

Can I ask how early you would recommend arriving for a summer weekend hike? Thank you!

oh... 4am? 5 at the latest.

[Wigniter]

oh, i really couldn't have said it better myself but i'll expand on my bump:

i took two people up elbert as their first 14ers. it's technically very straightforward, but the elevation gain is quite a lot and i overlooked that part when i was searching for an "easy" route (rookie mistake on my part). one person got gassed at treeline and turned around. i've also had people biff on la plata SW ridge, san luis, quandary, and on grizzly d, but to be fair- the latter attempts were by pack-a-day (at least) smokers.

i admire the heck out of people who repeatedly help first timers-- i don't think i'm cut out for it.

Quoted for truth.

We just did Elbert as our first 14er, and it was very challenging. Bierstadt was a walk in the park comparatively. I highly recommend Bierstadt as beginner hike. In fact, I'm taking another group up there in October, and am planning to focus on that one as their first one. I actually enjoyed the Bierstadt trail over Elbert, though the view on top of Elbert seems hard to beat.