With the Rocky Mountains running through Colorado, the state draws a lot of popularity for great hiking. One of the most notorious hiking endeavors is hiking what is referred to as a “fourteener,” which is where the mountain, and hike, peak above 14,000 feet in elevation. Both Colorado residents and tourists make goals of hiking at least one fourteener in their lifetime, with many people working to reach the peak of all fifty-three. Of course, this pursuit takes years to accomplish and you may be looking to hike just one for the bragging rights, in which case, here is a list of the top 10 fourteeners in Colorado, listed in order of lowest elevation to highest elevation.
Don't Miss These 10 Fourteeners In Colorado!
1. Huron Peak
Elevation: 14,003’
Location: Sawatch Range near Buena Vista and Leadville, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 2
Hike Length: 7 miles
Fun Fact: When trying to name the peak, they picked Huron after Huron Mine nearby, however, the mine was named for the Huron Native Americans, so the mountain is indirecty named after the Native American tribe.
2. Mount Bierstadt
Elevation: 14,060’
Location: Front Range near Georgetown and Idaho Springs, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 2/Class 3
Hike Length: 7 miles
Fun Fact: Once you reach this peak, if you’re feeling like you want more, you can keep going to Mount Evans, but this includes a descent of over 12,000 feet before heading back up the next mountain.
3. The DeCaLiBron Group (Including Mount Democrat, Mount Bross, Mount Cameron, and Mount Lincoln)
Elevations: 14,148’, 14,172’, 14,238’, and 14,286’ respectively
Location: Mosquito Range near Breckenridge and Leadville, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 2
Hike Length: 9 miles
Fun Fact: Some peaks are close enough in proximity to hit two in one hike, but these four peaks are close enough to hit all of them in one day and have been given their own group name in honor of this opportunity.
4. Longs Peak
Elevation: 14,255’
Location: Front Range near Estes Park, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 3
Hike Length: 5 miles
Fun Fact: Longs Peak is featured on the Colorado state quarter!
5. Mount Evans
Elevation: 14,264’
Location: Front Range near Georgetown and Idaho Springs, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 3
Hike Length: 6 miles
Fun Fact: Mount Evans can be seen from 100 miles away, so if you have ever admired the mountain skyline from Denver, Fort Collins and Limon, it is likely you’ve seen it many times without even realizing.
6. Quandary Peak
Elevation: 14,265’
Location: Tenmile Range near Breckenridge and Fairplay, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 1/Difficult Class 2/Class 3 (Depending on where you start and the route you take)
Hike Length: 7 miles
Fun Fact: Due to close proximity to Denver and also having a class 1 trail, this is one of the most popular 14ers for people to hike.
7. Mount Torreys and Grays Peak
Elevation: 14,267’ and 14,270’ respectively
Location: Front Range near Bakerville and Keystone, Colorado
Difficulty: Difficult Class 2/Class 3
Hike Length: 8 miles
Fun Fact: These peaks are right next to each other so most people peak both when they head out on this hike.
8. Blanca Peak
Elevation: 14,345’
Location: Sangre de Cristo near Blanca and Alamosa, Colorado
Difficulty: Difficult Class 2
Hike Length: 17 miles
Fun Fact: Known to the Navajo people as the Sacred Mountain of the East, Sisnaajiní.
9. Mount Massive
Elevation: 14,421’
Location: Sawatch Range near Leadville and Aspen, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 2
Hike Length: 15 miles
Fun Fact: Named for its elongated shape, Mt Massive is the third highest peak in the US just after Mt. Elbert.
10. Mount Elbert
Elevation: 14,433’
Location: Sawatch Range near Leadville and Aspen, Colorado
Difficulty: Class 2
Hike Length: 9 miles
Fun Fact: Mount Elbert is Colorado’s highest peak and the second highest peak in the nation.
Difficulty Scale:
Class 1: Easy hiking on a good trail.
Class 2: More difficult hiking that may be off trail.
Class 3: Scrambling or un-roped climbing may be involved.
Class 4: Ropes are used with climbing in class 4 and falls may be fatal.
Class 5: Technical climbing.
SAFETY FIRST
Please know that most of these mountains are best accessed in non-winter months (particularly July and August) due to avalanche dangers in the winter time, but their elevation will hold onto the snow even into the summer. Also note that in the summer months, afternoon storms are common in Colorado and it is extremely dangerous to be above the tree line during these storms with lightning strikes - to avoid being caught in these storms it is best to hit the trail early in the morning. For the safety of you and your fellow hikers, research trail conditions for the most current reports before planning a trip, make sure to pack plenty of water and any other equipment that may be necessary.
This article was written by Kim Cowan.