Climbing Colorado’s 14ers: A Beginner’s Guide to Not Dying
So, you’ve decided to tackle one of Colorado’s 14ers? Nice! Get ready for an adventure that’ll push your body to its limits—and your willpower to its breaking point. You’ll probably ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” at least a dozen times, wish you were back on the couch with snacks, and consider turning around at least three times before you even get halfway up. But hey, when you finally summit, the view will be so jaw-dropping that you’ll forget all the sweat, tears, and existential crises (well, almost all of them).
Before you throw on those hiking boots and start pretending you're a pro, let’s talk about what you’ll actually need to survive the hike and not look like you’re auditioning for a reality survival show.
Which 14er Should You Try First? Let’s Pick One That Won’t Kill You
Alright, let’s get one thing straight: not all 14ers are created equal. Some of these peaks will crush your spirit faster than your favorite granola bar getting smushed at the bottom of your backpack, while others are a bit more “beginner-friendly.”
For your first 14er, let’s keep things low-key. Think of Mount Bierstadt or Quandary Peak—these are the VIPs of the newbie 14er club. The trails are a little more forgiving, kind of like training wheels for the mountain world. Sure, you’ll still be gasping for air, questioning your life choices halfway up, and wondering if you’re secretly in the worst shape of your life, but hey, you won’t need a whole team of sherpas just to make it to the top.
Mount Elbert and Mount Massive are also solid picks for first-timers, though they’re a tad longer and steeper. By the time you hit the 12,000-foot mark, you might be seriously contemplating your sanity. But here’s the thing: that’s when you know you’re really doing something. And at the very least, you’ll have a killer story to share at the campfire later.
And hey, don’t sleep on Mount Huron. It might not have the same fame as Elbert or Bierstadt, but this underrated beast deserves a top spot on your beginner 14er bucket list. Standing proud at 14,003 feet, Huron dishes out some of the most ridiculous views in the Sawatch Range—like, stop-in-your-tracks-and-stare kind of views. The trail? Pretty straightforward... you know, in that “still a mountain, still gonna kick your butt a little” kind of way. But it’s doable, especially for rookies who want a challenge without feeling like they accidentally signed up for an ultra-marathon. Bonus: it’s usually less crowded, so you might even get a quiet moment at the top to ugly cry over how epic everything is—without an audience. Win-win.
📌 Curious about other 14ers? Explore our detailed14er Trail Guides at 14ers.com to find the best hike for your level.
Training: It’s for Everyone—Even Those Who’d Rather Skip the Marathon
Let’s be real—if your idea of a workout is making multiple trips to the fridge for snacks, you might want to rethink your 14er plans... or at least prepare a little. Don’t worry, though—you don’t need to start doing 100 push-ups a day or become best friends with kale and protein shakes. But, you will need to get your body ready for the mental and physical challenge of scaling 14,000 feet.
Start small. Try hiking some hills around your neighborhood (yes, those hills you usually avoid like the plague). Find some stairs—again, the ones you normally dodge—and start making those legs work for it. Trust me, if you can’t make it up your local hill without collapsing, a 14,000-foot summit is going to feel like you’ve been punked by Mother Nature herself. Cardio’s your buddy here. Running, biking, swimming—anything that gets your heart racing and your lungs working overtime will help. You’ll need that stamina to push through when the altitude starts messing with your breathing. And strength training—don’t forget that! Your arms and back will carry all those essentials you think you’ll need (spoiler: you won’t), like water, snacks, and that one extra jacket you just "know" will come in handy.
And speaking of backpacks—get used to walking with one. It sounds simple, but first-timers often show up with brand-new backpacks stuffed to the brim, making them feel less like hiking partners and more like boulders on their backs. Pack light, but don’t skimp on the essentials: water, snacks, sunscreen, and maybe an extra layer if you're feeling fancy (or if you’re anticipating a snowstorm).
📌Need tips on hiking with a pack? Check out our What to Pack for 14er Hikes blog for more guide.
Weather: It’s a Gamble, So Play Smart
Colorado’s weather is like that unpredictable friend who shows up to your house wearing flip-flops in a snowstorm, and somehow, you just know they're about to make everything a little chaotic. You could start your hike on a perfect, sunny 75-degree day, and by the time you’re halfway up, the sky could suddenly decide it’s time for a hailstorm. Oh, and don’t get too comfortable in the summer months—snowstorms are totally a thing. It’s like the mountains have a personal vendetta against your well-laid-out plans for sunshine.
Your best bet? Check the forecast like you’re trying to win a weather prediction contest. Not just once in the morning, but like a whole bunch of times. Check it before you leave home, check it again when you get to the trailhead, and then maybe—just maybe—once more before you actually start climbing. If thunderstorms are in the forecast, listen: don’t try to be a hero. The only thing worse than hiking through a storm is hiking through a storm while dodging lightning bolts. Getting an early start is key. If you can hit the trail before the sun even decides to get up, you’ll have a better shot at avoiding thunderstorms and actually making it to the summit before it gets dark. Plus, the sunrise in the mountains? Pure magic. It’s totally worth that early wake-up call, even if you’re glaring at the alarm clock like it personally betrayed you.
Altitude: The Air Gets Thin, But Your Excuses Can’t
Once you hit around 10,000 feet, you'll start to notice something weird—like the air just disappearing. By the time you reach the summit of a 14er, you'll wonder how you ever took oxygen for granted. Your lungs will be working overtime, like they just ran a marathon and then decided to work a double shift. Breathing will feel like you're trying to suck air through a cocktail straw. At 14,000 feet, you're seriously hustling for every single breath.
Altitude sickness? Yeah, that’s a thing, and it's no joke. So, stay hydrated! Water is basically your new best friend, like the buddy who shows up at 2 a.m. with a pizza. Drink it before, during, and after your hike—don’t wait until you’re feeling parched, because by then it’s too late. Also, snack frequently. Your body is burning through calories at a pace that’ll make you question how much you actually ate for breakfast. Keep those high-carb, high-protein snacks handy to avoid the dreaded hangry meltdown (because, let’s be real, no one wants to be that person on the mountain).
📌 Looking for tips on staying hydrated and preventing altitude sickness? Visit High Elevation Travel & Altitude Illness Guide for expert advice.
Gear: Pack Light, But Don’t Leave Your Common Sense Behind
The temptation to overpack is real. You might convince yourself that you need an emergency shelter, a portable stove, or five extra pairs of socks (because, you know, you never know when you’ll need a sock fashion show on the summit). But trust me, you don’t. The goal here is to keep it light, so you’re not lugging around an extra 20 pounds of gear just because you’ve got “just in case” syndrome.
And let’s just leave the flip-flops at home, shall we? This is not a beach day, and the mountain does not care about your summer vibes. You need sturdy footwear that can handle rocky terrain, wet conditions, and whatever else the mountain decides to throw at you. You’re not here to look cute—you’re here to survive.
The Summit: You Made It—Now Don’t Trip Over Your Victory Dance
Finally, you’ve made it! The summit is a glorious sight—breathtaking, epic, and probably making you feel like the king of the world. But before you start planning your victory dance or that perfect summit selfie, don’t forget one little thing—you still have to get down. The descent is often more dangerous than the climb itself. The rocks are loose, the trail is slippery, and fatigue will creep up on you faster than you can say, "I should’ve packed more snacks."
📌 Need a recovery plan after your summit? Check out Tips for a quick post hike recovery for faster muscle relief.
Keep Climbing, Keep Laughing—And Maybe Catch Your Breath Too
Hiking a 14er isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about the journey, the struggle, and the I-can’t-believe-I’m-doing-this moments along the way. Sure, there will be times when you’ll want to throw in the towel, when the trail feels like it’s never-ending, and when your legs turn into wobbly spaghetti noodles. But when you finally make it to the top, take a moment to breathe (even if the air’s thinner than your patience right now) and soak in that epic view. You’ve earned it.
So, lace up those boots, drink water like it’s your job, and remember: this isn’t just about conquering a mountain—it’s about pushing your limits, laughing at your own misery, and knowing that when it’s all over, you’ll have a story so good that everyone else will want to follow in your footsteps. (But not before they ask, “Are you sure you’re not a little bit insane?”)
Happy hiking, rookie! You’ve got this. Now go show that mountain who’s boss.