fav CO summit route at each level of YDS

[Veory]

I'm a sucker for the classic questions. This was harder than I thought and is subject to change.

C1) Maybe Electric Pass Peak? Unbeatable views/remoteness for a peak with a trail to the top.
C2) Perhaps Holy Cross via Halo, best if done after climbing the couloir.
C3) Hardest one... For the sake of something different, Static + Richthoften + Teepee + Lead is a fantastic class 3 linkup.
C4) Crestolita via Analemma Ridge, best done in combo with the Crestones. Solid rock, isolation, and the best views you can ask for.
C5) Independence Monument is really a funny one. Climbing doesn't quite hold up to some of the towers across the Utah border but it's a fun little adventure, and the history shaped how it climbs today.

Bonus:
Favorite snow/ski: Either the Emporer on Torreys since it's so long, or Refrigerator on Ice Mountain for the scenery.
Favorite linkup: Bells traverse is still one of the most fun routes ever.

[ltlFish99]

MY FAVORITE SKI WAS THE TUNING FORK ON TORREYS TWICE, ONCE AS LATE AS JULY 8TH, AFTER CARRYING MY DOWNHILL SKS UP DEAD DOG, FOR A VERY ENJOYABLE SKI INTO GRIZZLY GULCH

HANDIES IS A BEAUTIFUL EASY HIKE.

NORTH RIDGE OF SPEARHEAD IN RMNP WAS GREAT FUN, WITH LIGHTNING AND HAIL UP HIGH ADDING A LITTLE EXCITEMENT TO THE ADVENTURE.

CABLES ON LONGS WAS VERY ENJOYABLE.

COXCOMB WAS ALWAYS FUN.

NAVAJO VIA AIRPLANE GULLY WAS AN EXCELLENT FIRST 13ER,AND QUITE INTERESTING SEEING THE REMENANTS OF THE PLANE.

[JerJerBinks]

I'll bite

C1- Pikes Peak/ East slopes/Barr Trail. My first 14er. Being a C Springs native, I've always looked up to this mountain. It's part of who I am. A day hike of this route is a real journey and a way to connect to something bigger than ourselves.

C2- Holy Cross/ Halo Ridge. Incredible place and an amazing route.

C3- La Plata/Ellingwood Ridge. I definitely think this went harder than class 3 for us, but that's what it's billed so I'll put it here. One of my favorite mountain adventures.

C4- Little Bear/ Hourglass. Undeniable potential for danger, but an absolute incredible place on earth. This route is the reason I chose to pursue the Colorado 14ers.

C5- instead of getting laughed off the forum, I'll just say I'm ready to find the right partners here. I'm sure I've laid down a piece or two of class 5, but no class 5 routes.

Snow- this is tough to break into and this year has me worried I won't get much or any practice. For me, it was also Sayres BM but via Grand Central. Being alone and seeing the only other people on the route bail can easily compound fear and doubt. Class 2 can still be a serious thing. Big day for me. Proud moment.

[nyker]

Standard routes on:

1. Handies
2. Castle
3. Longs
4. Pyramid
5. Have not done any class 5 routes in Colorado, just CA and NY.

[desertdog]

C1 San Luis
C2 Rio Grande Pyramid
C3 V3 (with snow)
C4 Trinity Traverse
C5 Wham Ridge Vestal

[Istoodupthere]

1. Handies
2. Uncomp, Castle
3. Wilson Peak, Longs
4. Pyramid

[Monster5]

1: Whale
2: Morrison
3: Sleeping Sexton
4: LB Blanca traverse
Low 5th: Blitzen Ridge for alpine, or First Flatiron DEF for lowlands
Mid 5th: Curecanti Needle from the boat
Higher 5th: Saber SW or Casual

[seano]

I have an out of print book about that (sorry, I’m working on refunds, but I don’t have the money to print more).

1. Handies
2. Blanca
3. Crestone Peak
4. Kit Carson north ridge
5. Kiener’s

[RestlessLegSyndrome]

I’ll limit my answers to 14er routes that I’ve done, placing high emphasis on scenery, rock quality, prominence, and the directness of the line. It’s definitely worth noting that I’m sure there are other wonderful routes that I haven’t been on, and that lots (or even most) of my best days have been on routes that wouldn’t necessarily be considered classic. The company and vibe of the day are way more important imo.

Class 1: Elbert NE Ridge - lots of vert and climbs directly to the highest summit in the Rockies. Honorable mention- Handies SW slopes

Class 2: Mt. of the Holy Cross loop - beautiful location, beautiful mountain, and less backtracking. Honorable mention: Uncompahgre S ridge

Class 3: Wetterhorn SE Ridge - beautiful location, fun scrambling, beautiful mountain, and comparatively short. Honorable mention: Eolus NE ridge

Class 4: Capitol Peak NE Ridge - incredible backpacking location with undeniably the most classic knife edge ridge of the standard 14er journey. Honorable mention: Crestone Needle S face

Class 5: Longs Peak Casual Route - a direct line up the center of one of the most beautiful alpine walls in North America. Massive exposure, quality rock, and steep climbing despite the relatively accessible grade. Honorable mention: I’m leaving this blank, because I haven’t done any of the class 5 14er traverses, which are very likely more classic than the other routes of this grade I’ve done. However, the Aprons on Blue Sky, and Beaver/Keyhole Ridge on Longs may be deserving as well

[randalmartin]

Class 1: Elbert
Class 2: Uncomphagre and Huron (Tie)
Class 3: Crestone Needle
Class 4: Pyramid
Class 5: Bells Traverse

[colingoodman]

1 San Luis
2 Halo Ridge on Holy Cross
3 Wilson Peak
4 Capitol, Snowmass S Ridge
Low 5: Wham Ridge on Vestal
5+: Ellingwood Ledges up Crestone Needle

Low 5th: Blitzen Ridge for alpine, or First Flatiron DEF for lowlands

DEF as "low" fifth is a flex

[angry]

C1 Kendall
C2 V2
C3 Emma
C4 Little Bear
C5 Ellingwood on the Needle is listed as a 50 classics for a reason