Colorado 14'ers

There are 54 peaks in the State of Colorado that are higher than 14,000 feet. These are commonly referred to as 14'ers. In Colorado, the majority of these peaks can be climbed without equipment. Climbing many of these peaks involves little more than a very long and very stiff hike. However, the ready access and relative ease by which these peaks can be climbed is what get most people into trouble.

Most fatalities occur because people climb these mountains ill prepared. Weather is a major factor in the mountains. The peaks are barren and offer no shelter, so electrical storms pose a significant danger. Snow storms are possible at the height of summer so it is important to be prepared for extreme variations in temperature. Fatigue is a major factor since the air at 14,000 feet contains precious little oxygen. And what appears to be a shortcut as daylight is fading often leads to dangerous cliffs.

However, if you are in reasonable shape, armed with a good guidebook to help you find your way and a good dose of common sense, climbing these peaks are a great way to enjoy the great Colorado outdoors.

Here I am with my wife Kathy on Redcloud Peak (14,034 feet).

This table shows the 14'ers in order from highest to lowest.

PeakCountyElevation
Mt. ElbertLake14,433
Mt. MassiveLake14,421
Mt. HarvardChaffee14,420
Blanca PeakAlamosa14,345
LaPlata PeakChaffee14,336
Uncompahgre PeakHinsdale14,309
Crestone PeakSaguache14,294
Mt. LincolnPark14,286
Grays PeakGilpin14,270
Mt. AnteroChaffee14,269
Torreys PeakSummit14,267
Castle PeakPitkin14,265
Quandary PeakSummit14,265
Mt. EvansGilpin14,264
Longs PeakBoulder14,255
Mt. WilsonDolores14,246
Mt. ShavanoChaffee14,229
Mt. BelfordChaffee14,197
Mt. PrincetonChaffee14,197
Mt. YaleChaffee14,196
Creston NeedleSaguache14,191
Mt. BrossPark14,172
Kit Carson PeakSaguache14,165
El Diente PeakDolores14,159
Maroon PeakAspen14,156
Tabequache Mtn.Chaffee14,155
Mt. OxfordChaffee14,153
Mt. SneffelsOuray14,150
Mt. DemocratPark14,148
Capitol PeakPitkin14,130
Pikes PeakEl Paso14,110
Snowmass Mtn.Pitkin14,092
Mt. EolusMontezuma14,083
Windom PeakMontezuma14,082
Mt. ColumbiaChaffee14,073
Culebra PeakCostilla14,069
Missouri Mtn.Chaffee14,067
Humboldt PeakCuster14,064
Mt. BierstadtGilpin14,060
Sunlight PeakMontezuma14,059
Handies PeakHinsdale14,048
Ellingwood PointAlamosa14,042
Mt. LindseyCostilla14,042
Little Bear PeakCostilla14,037
Mt. ShermanPark14,036
Redcloud PeakHinsdale14,034
Pyramid PeakPitkin14,018
Wilson PeakSan Miguel14,017
Wetterhorn PeakHinsdale14,017
North Maroon PeakPitkin14,014
San Luis PeakSaguache14,014
Huron PeakChaffee14,005
Mt. of the Holy CrossEagle14,005
Sunshine PeakHinsdale14,001

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Page updated 27-Nov-1999 by willem@netperls.com