Hey all, I have a couple days off work Aug 4 and 5 and my original plans got canceled. I am planning on doing a quick trip out to Colorado to do some hiking and have some fun with my girlfriend. I have been looking at hikes to the tops of a few 14ers and wanted to know if anyone has any experience with Mt. Yale, Harvard, Elbert, Princeton, or Holy Cross. Or if you have any other suggestions for a hike for two pretty in shape people without ropes. And any other suggestions for a fun little long weekend trip.
Hiking 14ers in 2 weeks
- Thread starter bowrunner
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
I have only been up to the top of Holy Cross but one suggestion is to do your hike very early in the mornings and get off the top before noon. The afternoon thunder showers that we experience in August are fun to watch from a safe spot but the top of a 14'er isn't the place to be when they hit. You can expect rain, hail, sleet, and snow in them.
The views from the top of these peaks is fantastic.
The views from the top of these peaks is fantastic.
Colorado T
Active Member
Those are good choices. Another would be Grays and Torreys peaks as they are very close to each other and can be done on a quick trip.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I've climbed quite a few and all but one that you mentioned. You might consider backpacking into an area and hitting a couple or more 14ers in a few day's? That's a fun way to do it. You could backpack up from the cottonwood trail head and camp at timberline to do Harvard and Columbia. Or you could base camp (car camp) somewhere like Winfield and hit several mountains in a few day's. From Winfield you can hit La Plata, Huron, Belford, Missouri and Harvard. You won't escape the crowds though... going on weekdays helps but there will still be people. Especially on the ones you listed as they are very popular (Elbert, Princeton & Yale especially). Download the free app from 14ers.com, it's really handy. Let me know if you have any specific question. I'm heading up on a backpacking trip in the morning between Harvard and Yale to a small lake at timberline. Have fun!
Matthoek21
Veteran member
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
Thanks, I will look that up. I was on the 14ers website the other day too, so Ill look for the app. I was hoping to hit a few while we were out there. (possibly popping the question on top of one of them) I will do a little research and figure out the exact peaks I want to hit. Would you say that Harvard and Columbia are less crowded, or will all of them be pretty full of people? I will look up the trail heads you mentioned also and let you know if I have any specific questions.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I would say without a doubt Harvard & Columbia would be less crowded than Princeton & Yale for sure. There will be others around though for sure. The trailhead for Yale starts right off a paved road so it's really easy access and always busy. Elbert is neat since it's the highest elevation 14er. They are all neat in there own way. Lots of fun to climb!
Bonecollector
Veteran member
She said yes! We are getting married July 15 actually, so its coming up. We hiked up to the top of Mt. Yale, but I did not pop the question there. On the last day, we hiked to a mountain lake about 2 miles and I got on one knee there.The first picture is just below the summit of Mt. Yale and the second picture is just after I popped the question.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
Congratulations to you both. I was doing a search for something and came across your post. lol
Being as your from the eastern side of the country, and near me, we should team up on some western excursions after the honey moon wears off. ;-)
Being as your from the eastern side of the country, and near me, we should team up on some western excursions after the honey moon wears off. ;-)
Horsenhike
Very Active Member
Bonecollector
Veteran member
Bonecollector
Veteran member
I literally laughed out load at your 2nd sentence. Sounds like a been there done that and you're going to need it!
Don K
Very Active Member
Forget the 14r, go hike a 12r and help me scout my unit
All kidding aside, have a safe trip enjoy it and good luck with the proposing!
And your not the only Midwest hunter, I just spent four days out there put 840 miles on the rental out of Denver, and 20+ on my feet to get a feel for my unit.
All kidding aside, have a safe trip enjoy it and good luck with the proposing!
And your not the only Midwest hunter, I just spent four days out there put 840 miles on the rental out of Denver, and 20+ on my feet to get a feel for my unit.
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Bonecollector
Veteran member