14ers
Peaks above 14,000 ft of elevation—their allure is mystifying.
For the summer of 2021 when we still couldn’t travel abroad, TAJ and I descended upon Colorado to summit as many 14ers as possible without much of a plan. Except to bag them all. Even the four considered controversially not quite true designated 14ers (Their prominence isn’t steep enough from their sister summits to be on “the list” despite their elevation being well past the required 14,000 feet. Scoff, rules. eyeroll). Oh, wait, I have to inform you how many there are! 58 (or 54 according to rule followers). We set out to conquer 58 mountain peaks.
Although the weather in nature always wins and this adventure is one that requires a well-planned efficiency strategy for traveling between mountain ranges, we bagged enough peaks on the list to be happy for ourselves. All within a one month timeframe. And best of all, we are still alive! Soooo TAJ wants to go back this summer to complete the task.
Yesterday, we sat down to write out the dates of our accomplishments and map out which ones are left for us to attempt. This brought about lots of arguing and surprise! our memories aren’t as well-kept as we imagined them to be. Naturally, I thought this would be thrilling to share with you. Waiting out a winter whiteout by planning summer goals, mmmhmmmm that’s good stuff! P.S.: I can’t even plan next week or dinner for tonight but here we go.
In honor of our review, I will provide you some mountain vista porn still frames for your viewing pleasure. Since there are quite a few and I don’t intend to break this into a two-parter, I will be short on words describing each peak (I was entranced by the geological variances between all of them though!) and the experience they brought me. However, ask me ALL your questions! I will happily detail anything your curiosity wants to delight in.
Previously attained:
Pikes Peak, 14,115 ft. (July 31, 2018)
Mount Elbert, 14,439 ft. (August 2, 2018)
Longs Peak, 14,255 ft. (August 4, 2018)
Mount Massive, 14,429 ft. (August 17, 2020)
In order of appearance during our 2021 peak bagging run:
#1 Culebra Peak
14,049’
July 25th
Don’t let the blue sky fool you! On the way back down lightning come unnervingly close to striking TAJ.
#2 Mount Lindsey
14,048’
July 26th
The Mario Bros style mushrooms were impressive!
#3 Humboldt Peak
14,070’
July 28th
#4 Challenger Point
14,080 feet
July 29th
#5 Kit Carson Peak
14,165’
July 29th
We hiked in, set up camp, and bagged Humboldt. Then the following day, orienteered our way up to and across Bear’s Playground to climb down and over to two more peaks. On the third day we hiked the long trail to Crestone, where we decided we needed to invest in helmets. Skipping Crestone Needles to save it for the next day before hiking out proved to be unwise since hail hit and we hightailed it out instead.
#6 Crestone Peak
14,266’
July 30th
#7 Blanca Peak
14,326’
August 1st
We missed two peaks here. Can you tell why?
#8 San Luis Peak
14,022’
August 4th
This peak will reappear in my Colorado Trail woes tale soon.
#9 Mount Wilson
14,254’
August 6th
This is where TAJ and I have conflicting memories…I swear this is El Diente. [sideeye]
#10 Mount Sneffels
14,157’
August 8th
One of my faves and not simply out of its short, sweet nature like me.
#11 Wetterhorn Peak
14,021’
August 9th
Also, my favorite!
#12 Uncompaghre Peak
14,308’
August 9th
#13 Redcloud Peak
14,041’
August 11th
#14 Sunshine Peak
14,007’
August 11th
#15 Handies Peak
14,058’
August 12th
So short that I didn’t even change out of me jammies!
#16 Mount Shavano
14,228’
August 13th
#17 Tabegauche Peak
14,157’
August 13th
#18 Mount Belford
14,200’
August 14th
#19 Mount Oxford
14,156’
August 14th
#20 Missouri Mountain
14,074’
August 14th
#21 La Plata Peak
14,336’
August 15th
#22 Mount Antero
14,275’
August 17th
You could scramble up from a mine so does this one really count?
#23 Mount Princeton
14,196’
August 17th
#24 Mount Yale
14,199’
August 18th
#25 Mount Harvard
14,423’
August 19th
#26 Mount Columbia
14,077’
August 19th
Truthfully, it hailed on us on this summit so we didn’t stop for a pic but I couldn’t let the view from the same proximity go unnoticed.
#27 Huron Peak
14,003’
August 20th
We appreciate our wisdom in looking at weather forecast and deciding to stay in a hotel rather than camp by the TH for this one.
Too funny not to share:
Yes, the summit included quite a bit of snow and frigid temps that you can read on our faces.
#28 Castle Peak
14,278’
August 21st
Those clouds made me nervous so we turned around missing the peak along the ridgeline behind us in this pic. It’s name is Conundrum, how apropos.
#29 Quandary Peak
14,271’
August 22d
#30 Mount Sherman
14,043’
August 22nd
A 7 yr old girl hiked this in front of us while being tossed by the 60 mph winds!
#31 Mount Democrat
14,152’
August 23rd
#32 Cameron
14,238’
August 23rd
#33 Mount Lincoln
14,295’
August 23rd
#34 Mount Bross
14,178’
August 23rd
The easiest 8-mi loop where you just so happen to swipe through 14er summits along the trail. Quite the no-brainer of a hike. The old mines were fascinating too.
#35 Mount of the Holy Cross
14,009’
August 24th
Long hike in but worth it.
#36 Grays Peak
14,278’
August 25th
#37 Torreys Peak
14,267’
August 25th
#38 Mount Evans
14,265’
August 25th
#39 Mount Bierstadt
14,065’
August 26th
If you’re keeping tally, you’ve noted our final count as 43 out of the 58 with 15 left to attempt. Are you wondering what prevented us from attaining these 15? Weather, of course. Not entirely though. We did experience a few rounds of hailstorms and fog towards the beginning of our trek that kept us from bagging a few. However, we didn’t realize the need for planning a train ride into the San Juans or that we would want to slow down to enjoy our time in the mountains.
Yeah, I know how silly that sounds. A vacation that includes bagging peaks is fun in itself, yes. Alternately, we were ready for a change up after a month of early mornings. Our grand finale towards home consisted of touring the White Rim Trail along Canyonlands rather than complete the known for treachery Maroon Bells. Roadtripping never felt so good.
Are you wondering if I remember each and every peak? I’d like that answer to be a resounding yes. Looking back jogged my memory but I was shocked to discover conflicting memories against TAJ. Also, I’m ashamed to admit that our last peak bag, Bierstadt, is wiped from my memory bank. Our final wrap up seems like I would remember it the most, right?! Odd. Anyway, I remember a whole lot more of the trek along each trail than I thought possible so that’s something. Would I do it again? Absolutely!
In your mind, which peaks have the best views according to all my pics? Do they have you dreaming of creating your own wild stunt for a summer vacation? Have you attempted some 14ers yet or are you hoping to soon? If so, which ones? TAJ and I would love your advice or stories, hint hint…