The 14ers. This mega-classic, ultra-popular challenge permeates every aspect of Colorado culture. Includes all Colorado peaks over 14,000 ft high with at least 300 ft of prominence... with 2 "sentimental" exceptions (El Diente and North Maroon Peak). A true showcase of Colorado's diverse mountains, encompassing the highest peaks in the Sawatch, Elk, San Juan, Sangre de Cristo, Mosquito, Ten Mile, and Front Ranges. The wide range of difficulty of these peaks lets you start out slowly with easier hikes to gain experience before tackling the harder peaks.
Highest peak
Mount Elbert
14,440 ft / 4,401 m
Most prominent peak
Mount Elbert
9,093 ft / 2,771 m prom
Most summited peak
Mount Elbert
314 summits
Most difficult peak
Mount Elbert
Class 1
Difficulty breakdown
Class 1/2 36 peaks
Class 3/4 16 peaks
Class 5+ 1 peak
Highlights
- Climb the iconic Class 3 Keyhole route of Longs Peak, the majestic centerpiece peak of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Stand on the highest peak in Colorado, Mt Elbert. Then stand on all of the surrounding 14ers of the Sawatch Range and look back at Elbert and see other hikers looking back at you.
- Head to the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado to experience what many consider the most spectacular mountains in the state. Get off the Durango steam train mid-route and head to the remote Chicago Basin to climb the elusive trio of Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus. Start preparing now for the leap-of-faith summit block move on Sunlight.
- Peer down on the sprawling Great Sand Dunes National Park from the jagged heights of the Crestones in the Sangre de Cristos. Attempt the famous Crestone Traverse if you've got the skills.
- When you're ready to dial up the challenge, visit the incredible Elk Range near Aspen to climb exhilarating peaks like the deadly Maroon Bells, Pyramid, and Capitol Peak with its Knife Edge traverse.
- Jog up and back on the 13-mile Barr Trail on Pikes Peak in the annual Pikes Peak Marathon... or just take it slow. Just don't drive!
Latest summits
"Very windy day. Lost my hat, almost lost my gloves and sunglasses, had to walk at a 20 degree slant at times. Quickly booped the main summit and bailed on an attempt to descend the south ridge. Haze from fires visible to the northeast, clear skies otherwise. Also tried to help two guys bag their first 14er but they turned around due to altitude and weather." — cheeseishappiness • Oct 24, 2020
"4:30 am start from the lower Matterhorn Creek trailhead at 9,700'. Dirt road was just barely doable with 5 inches of clearance. Summitted Wetterhorn at 7:30, Matterhorn at 10:00 and Uncompahgre at 1:00. Got back to the car about 4:30. Wetterhorn crux was more exposed (and fun) than expected and Uncompahgre took forever to get to. Awesome range and can't wait to get there again." — cheeseishappiness • Oct 15, 2020
"4:00 am start from the lower Matterhorn Creek trailhead at 9,700'. Dirt road was just barely doable with 5 inches of clearance. Summitted Wetterhorn at 7:30, Matterhorn at 10:00 and Uncompahgre at 1:00. Got back to the car about 4:30. Wetterhorn crux was more exposed (and fun) than expected and Uncompahgre took forever to get to. Awesome range and can't wait to get there again.
https://youtu.be/UCLtYRtNQWk" — cheeseishappiness • Oct 15, 2020
"Rare clear day in the land of smoke. Over 200+ people on the mountain today but thinned out at the top. Golden Eagles, Pikas, and momma and baby Mountain Goats were better company. Took old decommissioned “trail” down to willow crossing. (6.5/2600)" — LoneWolf • Oct 10, 2020
"Fun climb, in spite a there being a huge number of people climbing and on the summit.
Not an epic climb in terms of distance or elevation gain, but it's steep all but the first mile. So it will work your legs.
Decent trail most of the way, but the last ~1/4 mile is a rock scramble that takes a while to get up or down." — stevebrown • Sep 24, 2020