Adams County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 655-3215
This project
Colorado’s Fourteeners—peaks rising above 14,000 feet—are among the most sought-after mountains in the country and attract hundreds of thousands of hiker use days each year. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative estimates that 256,000 hiker use days were recorded across the state’s 14ers in 2025, with more than 400,000 hiker use days recorded during the peak of the pandemic in 2020.
With so many people venturing into Colorado’s high country, accidents and fatalities have unfortunately become part of the history of these mountains. Yet there has historically been no single, comprehensive public record of fatalities on Colorado’s Fourteeners. Previous efforts have documented portions of this history. For example, a 2010–2017 analysis identified 57 deaths, but its author noted that the information was incomplete and that some incidents may have gone unreported.
Deaths on Colorado’s Fourteeners was created to help fill that gap.
This site documents reported fatalities on Colorado’s fourteen-thousand-foot peaks, including incidents involving falls, rockfall, avalanches, exposure, medical events, lightning, and other causes. The goal is not simply to count deaths, but to preserve the stories, circumstances, and history surrounding these incidents and the people who lost their lives.
The database combines information from publicly available sources with crowdsourced contributions from the 14er community. Whenever possible, incidents are cross-referenced and independently verified. Conflicting information is reviewed, duplicate reports are consolidated, and records are updated as additional information becomes available.
Because historical records are often incomplete, this database should not be considered a definitive or official count of fatalities. Some incidents may have received little or no public coverage, while details surrounding others may remain uncertain. The database is intended to be a living historical resource—one that can be corrected, expanded, and improved as new information comes to light.
Above all, this project is intended to document these events with respect for the people who died, their families, and the mountains themselves.
Colorado Backcountry Emergency Contacts
Need rescue now?
In Colorado, county sheriffs are responsible for coordinating backcountry search and rescue. For an active emergency, call 911 first and give dispatch your location, trail or route, coordinates if available, the nature of the emergency, and the number of people in your party.
911
For an active rescue emergency
Call 911. If a voice call cannot be completed but texting works, you may try Text-to-911; availability varies by location and carrier.
Why the sheriff numbers? Colorado Search & Rescue Association advises that rescue requests are activated through 911 or the local county sheriff—not by calling volunteer SAR teams directly. The numbers below are local sheriff-office contacts and are best treated as a secondary contact; they are not a substitute for 911 during an active emergency.
Local county rescue contacts
Alamosa County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 589-6608
Arapahoe County
Local sheriff contact: (720) 874-4176
Archuleta County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 264-8430
Baca County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 523-4511
Bent County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 456-0796
Boulder County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 441-4605
Broomfield County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 438-6440
Chaffee County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 539-2596
Cheyenne County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 767-5633
Clear Creek County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 679-2476
Conejos County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 376-2196
Costilla County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 672-0673
Crowley County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 267-5235
Custer County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 783-2270
Delta County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 874-2000
Denver County
Local sheriff contact: (720) 913-3600
Dolores County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 677-2257
Douglas County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 663-7722
Eagle County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 328-8500
El Paso County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 520-7100
Elbert County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 621-2027
Fremont County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 276-5555
Garfield County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 945-0453
Gilpin County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 582-1060
Grand County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 725-3343
Gunnison County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 641-7654
Hinsdale County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 944-2291
Huerfano County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 989-1600
Jackson County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 723-4242
Jefferson County
Local sheriff contact: (303) 271-5852
Kiowa County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 438-5411
Kit Carson County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 346-8934
La Plata County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 247-1157
Lake County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 486-1249
Larimer County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 498-5100
Las Animas County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 846-2211
Lincoln County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 743-2426
Logan County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 522-2578
Mesa County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 244-3500
Mineral County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 658-2600
Moffat County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 826-2310
Montezuma County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 564-4986
Montrose County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 249-9110
Morgan County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 542-3445
Otero County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 384-5941
Ouray County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 325-7272
Park County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 836-2494
Phillips County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 854-3644
Pitkin County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 920-5300
Prowers County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 336-8050
Pueblo County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 583-6131
Rio Blanco County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 878-9600
Rio Grande County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 657-4000
Routt County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 870-5502
Saguache County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 655-2544
San Juan County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 387-5531
San Miguel County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 728-1911
Sedgwick County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 474-3355
Summit County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 453-2232
Teller County
Local sheriff contact: (719) 687-9652
Washington County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 345-6865
Weld County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 356-4015
Yuma County
Local sheriff contact: (970) 332-4805
Give Back to the Teams Who Answer the Call
Support Colorado Search & Rescue
Colorado's backcountry search and rescue system depends heavily on trained volunteers and nonprofit teams. Donations help pay for rescue equipment, vehicles, communications, medical supplies, training, facilities and the other costs required to keep teams mission-ready.
Colorado Search & Rescue Association
CSAR supports Colorado's backcountry SAR community through coordination, training, advocacy, public education and statewide incident-support programs.
CORSAR Card
Purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card contributes to the state SAR fund, which helps reimburse eligible search-and-rescue expenses. The card is not insurance and does not pay for medical transport.
Volunteer nonprofit search & rescue teams
Alamosa Volunteer Search & Rescue
All-volunteer team serving the San Luis Valley, with frequent missions on Blanca, Ellingwood Point and Little Bear Peak.
Alpine Rescue Team
Independent all-volunteer mountain rescue team providing all-weather search, technical rescue, avalanche response and public education.
Arapahoe Rescue Patrol
Youth-led volunteer rescue organization providing search, rescue, medical and emergency support throughout Colorado.
Boulder Emergency Squad
Volunteer technical rescue team specializing in water rescue, technical rope rescue, search management, drones and emergency support.
Boulder County Mounted Search & Rescue
Mounted volunteers assist with wilderness searches, animal evacuation, evidence searches and packing equipment into incidents.
Chaffee County Search & Rescue North
Volunteer team responding to mountain, river, desert and lake incidents while providing outdoor-safety education.
Chaffee County Search & Rescue South
Backcountry rescue team with capabilities including medical response, swiftwater, avalanche, rope systems and drone operations.
Crested Butte Mountain Rescue
All-volunteer mountain rescue team providing public education, technical rescue and wilderness emergency medical services.
Douglas County Search & Rescue
All-volunteer team providing wilderness and urban search, rescue, emergency response and outdoor-safety education.
El Paso County Search & Rescue
100% volunteer mountain SAR team serving the Pikes Peak region 24/7 and providing its services without charge.
Fremont Search & Rescue
All-volunteer nonprofit responding to wilderness emergencies throughout Fremont County and supporting mutual-aid missions.
Garfield County Search & Rescue
Volunteer SAR resource for Garfield County focused on locating the lost, rescuing the injured and stranded, recovery, and wilderness-safety education.
Grand County Search & Rescue
All-volunteer nonprofit helping lost and injured people throughout Grand County; donations support vehicles, technical gear, medical equipment and operations.
Lake County Search & Rescue
All-volunteer team based in Leadville serving high-altitude terrain in and around Lake County.
La Plata County Search & Rescue
Volunteer search-and-rescue organization serving southwest Colorado, with specialized teams and technical rescue capabilities.
Larimer County Search & Rescue
Volunteer team that finds the lost, rescues the stranded and injured, assists in recoveries and provides wilderness-safety education.
Mountain Rescue Aspen
Volunteer mountain rescue organization supporting Pitkin County through backcountry rescue, public education and mountain-safety programs.
Ouray Mountain Rescue Team
All-volunteer mountain rescue team providing technical rescue and emergency medical services in rugged southwest Colorado.
Park County Search & Rescue
All-volunteer nonprofit operating under the Park County Sheriff and funded largely through donations, fundraisers and grants.
Rampart Search & Rescue
Volunteer rural and wilderness SAR team serving Adams County and assisting other Colorado jurisdictions when requested.
Rocky Mountain Rescue Group
All-volunteer mountain rescue organization trained for technical search and rescue in mountainous terrain and severe weather.
Routt County Search & Rescue
All-volunteer backcountry SAR organization operating under the Routt County Sheriff's Office and providing rescue services at no charge.
Summit County Rescue Group
All-volunteer mountain SAR team serving Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon and the surrounding backcountry.
Teller County Search & Rescue
All-volunteer urban, wilderness and mountain search-and-rescue team operating under the Teller County Sheriff's Office.
Vail Mountain Rescue Group / Friends of Mountain Rescue
Volunteer backcountry mountain-rescue team serving Eagle County; Friends of Mountain Rescue is its nonprofit fundraising arm.
Specialized statewide SAR organizations
Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD)
Trains, validates and supports avalanche rescue dog teams for deployment across Colorado.
Front Range Rescue Dogs
Volunteer search-dog teams trained for wilderness and specialized search missions in Colorado and the surrounding region.
Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (SARDOC)
Volunteer certified K9 teams supporting missing-person searches and law-enforcement agencies across Colorado.
Colorado Pet Emergency Resources
Animal emergency hospitals
Backcountry injuries, heat illness, trauma and snakebites can become life-threatening quickly. The resources below include 24-hour emergency hospitals plus mountain-area clinics with after-hours or on-call coverage.
Rattlesnake bite: take a photo of the snake
The following applies to all rattlesnake bites
My dog Loki was bitten by a rattlesnake, a Mojave Sidewinder, so I'm adding this information in the event someone else experiences a similar situation.
- Take a photo of the snake
- Call the nearest emergency hospital and make sure they have antivenom available.
- Send the photo of the snake to the hospital for identification.
- Go to the hospital -- immediatly,
Rattlesnakes have different venom which is important to identify for proper treatment. Pass that photo to the emergency veterinary hospital for proper identification and treatment.
Treat every suspected rattlesnake bite as an emergency. If it is safely possible, take a photo of the snake from a distance without approaching, cornering, catching or killing it. Call the nearest emergency veterinary hospital while you begin transport and ask whether rattlesnake antivenom is currently in stock. If it is not, ask where they recommend you go. Do not delay departure waiting for a callback.
- Keep your pet as quiet as possible; carry them rather than letting them walk if you can do so safely.
- Do not cut the bite, attempt to suck out venom, or apply a tourniquet.
- If you cannot reach a hospital by phone, head toward the nearest open emergency veterinary facility immediately.
Animal poison hotlines
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
For suspected poisoning or toxic exposure. A veterinary toxicology specialist can help determine the next step.
Pet Poison Helpline
(855) 764-7661
Veterinary toxicology assistance for poisonings, medications, plants, chemicals and other exposures.
Front Range / Denver & Boulder
Call before driving when possible. Hours, staffing, and antivenom inventory can change without notice.
Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE)
303-545-2273
2972 Iris Ave, Boulder, CO 80301
Dogs and cats; walk-in emergency care. Call ahead when possible.
Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital
303-424-3325
10140 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Specialty and emergency hospital; no appointment needed for emergencies.
Evolution Veterinary Specialists
720-510-7707
34 Van Gordon St, Ste 160, Lakewood, CO 80228
Walk-in emergency care; specialty services also available.
Animal Emergency & Specialty Center (AESC)
720-842-5050
17701 Cottonwood Dr, Parker, CO 80134
Emergency, critical care and specialty services for dogs and cats.
Northern Colorado
Call before driving when possible. Hours, staffing, and antivenom inventory can change without notice.
Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital
970-297-5000
300 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Colorado’s veterinary trauma center; CSU recommends calling ahead.
Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital
970-484-8080
816 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Emergency and urgent care for dogs and cats.
Four Seasons Veterinary Specialists
970-800-1106
4120 Clydesdale Pkwy, Loveland, CO 80538
Emergency, ICU, urgent care and specialty services.
Pikes Peak / Southern Front Range
Call before driving when possible. Hours, staffing, and antivenom inventory can change without notice.
Animal ER Care @ VSC
719-260-7141
5520 N Nevada Ave, Ste 150, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Emergency and critical care; walk-in emergencies.
Southern Rockies Animal Emergency & Specialty
719-473-0482
5886 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
Walk-in emergency hospital; no appointment required.
North Springs Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center
719-920-4430
10520 White Diamond Pt, Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Walk-ins welcome; emergency and specialty care.
Pueblo Animal Urgent Care
719-544-7788
712 Fortino Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81008
Urgent, non-life-threatening care. Their site specifically lists rattlesnake antivenin; call to confirm current stock.
High Country / Central Mountains
Call before driving when possible. Hours, staffing, and antivenom inventory can change without notice.
Breckenridge Animal Clinic
970-453-0821
11072 Highway 9 #104, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Call and listen for current on-call coverage or referral instructions; Summit County after-hours coverage can be limited.
Collegiate Peaks Veterinary Hospital
719-395-8900
104 Isabel Ct, Buena Vista, CO 81211
Useful local contact for the Sawatch/Chaffee area; after-hours phone triage can direct you to an open emergency center.
EagleVet
970-328-8312
10 Fox Hollow Dr, Edwards, CO 81632
For after-hours emergencies, EagleVet directs clients to Valley Emergency Pet Care or a 24/7 referral hospital.
Valley Emergency Pet Care
970-927-5066
180 Fiou Ln, Units 101 & 102, Basalt, CO 81621
Emergency hospitalization, diagnostics and surgery; call before arrival.
Mountain Legacy Veterinary Center
970-641-2215
1525 State Hwy 135, Gunnison, CO 81230
Gunnison-area emergency coverage; call first for after-hours care.
Steamboat Veterinary Hospital
970-879-1041
1878 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Call for after-hours and weekend emergencies.
Western Slope / Southwest / San Luis Valley
Call before driving when possible. Hours, staffing, and antivenom inventory can change without notice.
Animal ER of the Western Slope
970-525-0911
1660 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Dedicated emergency hospital with on-site veterinarian while patients are hospitalized. Call to confirm current hours.
Black Canyon Veterinary Clinic
970-787-2282
1401 E Main St, Montrose, CO 81401
Call first; regular clinic hours are weekdays.
AspenTree Animal Care
970-382-0100
42 County Road 250, Unit 200, Durango, CO 81301
Call the clinic and follow the after-hours prompts.
Alpine Veterinary Hospital — Alamosa
719-589-2615
7038 W US Hwy 160, Alamosa, CO 81101
Companion, equine and livestock emergency care; call before coming in when possible.
Important: This directory is intended as a planning and emergency-reference aid, not veterinary advice. It is not guaranteed to include every Colorado veterinary emergency provider. Clinic hours, after-hours coverage, capabilities and antivenom inventory can change, so call ahead whenever possible. If a person is also injured, lost, or requires backcountry rescue, call 911.
Colorado 14er Climbing Resources
Plan well. Climb within your limits. Come home.
No Colorado 14er is truly “easy.” High altitude, fast-changing weather, snow, loose rock, route-finding and fatigue can turn a straightforward hike into an emergency. The resources below are intended to help climbers choose appropriate routes, prepare for changing conditions and make conservative decisions.
The summit is optional. Turning around is a successful safety decision.
Before every climb: study the route, check recent conditions and trailhead access, review a mountain-specific weather forecast, set a turnaround time, tell someone your plan, and carry enough equipment to survive an unexpected delay or night out.
Best practices
Choose the route — not just the mountain
Read the complete route description and recent condition reports. A peak can have both an easy standard route and much more serious alternatives. Check the route’s difficulty and risk factors, not merely the summit name.
Plan around weather and lightning
Use a mountain-specific NWS point forecast and review radar before leaving. If thunderstorms are forecast, scale back or choose another day. Set a turnaround time that gets you off exposed ridges before storms develop. If you hear thunder, move quickly toward lower, safer terrain.
Use redundant navigation
Download maps and the route before leaving cell service. Know the major landmarks and where mistakes commonly occur. A phone is useful, but batteries die and screens break; carry backup power and consider a paper topo/compass for remote or complex routes.
Carry the Ten Essentials
Navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid, knife/repair kit, fire, emergency shelter, extra food, extra water and extra clothing belong in a 14er pack. A windproof emergency bivy or shelter offers more protection than a thin foil blanket alone.
Hydration: enough, but not forced
Sodium matters because it helps regulate fluid balance and normal nerve and muscle function, and sweat contains sodium. On long or hot efforts, salty foods or electrolyte drinks can help replace losses. But salt does not make overdrinking safe: excessive plain water or sports drink can contribute to exercise-associated hyponatremia. Drink according to thirst rather than forcing a fixed amount.
Fuel the climb
Carbohydrates are convenient fuel during sustained climbing: fruit, bars, chews, tortillas, pretzels and similar foods are easy to eat while moving. Protein is useful for satiety and recovery but is not a substitute for carbohydrate during a hard endurance day. Bring food you already know you tolerate at altitude.
Respect altitude
Fitness does not make someone immune to altitude illness. Headache, nausea, unusual fatigue and dizziness after ascent can be warning signs. Do not keep ascending when symptoms are worsening. Confusion, loss of coordination or severe shortness of breath are emergencies and require immediate descent and medical help.
Snow changes the mountain
A Class 1 summer trail can become serious mountaineering terrain under snow. When snow is present, check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Crampons, an ice axe and avalanche equipment only help when you have the training to use them correctly.
Leave a trip plan and carry communication
Tell a reliable person exactly where you are going, your planned route, trailhead, vehicle and when to call for help if you are overdue. Cell service is unreliable. For remote routes, a satellite communicator can provide two-way messaging and interactive SOS — but it does not replace judgment or self-rescue skills.
Manage the group, not just yourself
Discuss the route, pace, weather thresholds and turnaround time before leaving the trailhead. Do not abandon a slower partner. Everyone should carry critical personal gear rather than putting all navigation, food, first aid or emergency equipment in one pack.
Planning, navigation and safety resources
14ers.com
The most useful single planning resource for Colorado 14ers. Read the full route description and the newest peak/trailhead reports before every climb.
National Weather Service — Colorado 14ers
Use the NWS map to select the mountain and review the point forecast at elevation. Recheck close to departure and compare forecast timing with your turnaround plan.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Essential whenever snow is on the mountain. CAIC provides regional avalanche danger, avalanche problems, observations and mountain weather.
COTREX
A statewide trail and recreation map maintained through Colorado agencies. Useful for approaches, trail networks and public-land context.
CalTopo
Excellent for studying contours, slope angle, terrain and alternate lines. Build routes at home and download the needed map layers before leaving coverage.
Gaia GPS
Useful for carrying multiple map layers and a route on your phone. Download the map area at home; GPS positioning can work without cellular service.
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
CFI builds and maintains sustainable summit routes and publishes route/access guidance. Their recommended routes help reduce erosion and protect fragile alpine tundra.
Leave No Trace
Stay on durable routes, do not cut switchbacks, pack out waste, respect wildlife and keep impact concentrated on established surfaces.
Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills
A broad technical reference covering navigation, mountain weather, knots, rope systems, snow travel, climbing, self-rescue and expedition planning.
Colorado's Fourteeners: From Hikes to Climbs
A long-established guide to Colorado's 14ers, with route descriptions, ratings and mountain context. Use any printed guide together with current online access, weather and condition information.
Gear resources
Gear does not replace judgment or training. These are examples of established equipment categories and products — not a claim that every climber needs every item. Route, season, conditions, skills and personal fit should determine what you carry.
Climbing helmet — Black Diamond Half Dome
A helmet is strongly worth considering on scrambling routes, loose gullies and any route with meaningful rockfall exposure. It protects against some impacts but does not make loose or exposed terrain safe.
Mountaineering axe — Black Diamond Raven
An ice axe is appropriate for specific snow routes and conditions — only if you know how to use it. Practice self-arrest and snow travel in controlled terrain before relying on an axe on a steep slope.
Satellite communicator — Garmin inReach Mini 2
Useful when cell service disappears. The inReach Mini 2 supports satellite messaging, location sharing and interactive SOS. An active satellite plan is required for inReach features; charge it and test it outside before the trip.
Hiking boots — Asolo Fugitive GTX
The Fugitive GTX is an example of a supportive Gore-Tex hiking boot for rugged terrain. Fit matters more than brand. Break footwear in before a big climb, choose traction appropriate to the surface and carry blister care.
Static rope vs. dynamic climbing rope
| Rope type | What it does | Typical uses | Critical limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic climbing rope | Designed to stretch under impact and absorb energy from a climbing fall. | Lead climbing, sport, trad, alpine climbing and other systems where a climber may fall onto the rope. | Use a rope certified for the intended climbing system and a compatible belay device. Training is essential. |
| Static / low-stretch rope | Designed to minimize stretch while loaded. | Hauling, fixed lines, rope access, rescue systems and certain rappelling applications. | Do not use static rope to catch a lead-climbing fall. The lack of dynamic stretch can transmit extremely high forces to the climber and system. |
14er context: Most standard Class 1 and Class 2 routes do not require a rope. Carrying a rope without knowing anchors, knots, belaying, rappelling and rescue systems can create additional hazards. Seek qualified instruction before using ropes on technical 14er terrain.
Good first 14ers
“Beginner” is relative. These routes are among the least technical standard 14er routes in dry summer conditions. They still require fitness, high-altitude judgment, weather awareness and the ability to turn around.
Mount Sherman
One of the shortest standard 14er hikes. The route uses old mining roads and trail. Road access can be rough; use the recommended Fourmile Creek approach and respect private-property boundaries.
Grays Peak
A well-defined Class 1 trail with low route-finding risk. The Stevens Gulch road is rough and roadside parking near the upper trailhead is restricted, so trailhead planning matters.
Quandary Peak
Direct, popular and easy to follow in summer, but physically steep. Parking/shuttle rules are seasonal and can change, so check the current trailhead information before driving up.
Mount Bierstadt
Excellent paved-road access from Guanella Pass and a well-defined route. The summit finish involves large boulders, so it is a useful step up from a pure Class 1 trail.
Handies Peak
A beautiful, comparatively straightforward San Juan 14er. The hike is beginner-friendly by 14er standards, but the remote trailhead and rough road make access the bigger challenge.
Better choices for experienced hiking families
Family-friendly does not mean risk-free. Children are susceptible to altitude illness too. Choose a route based on the individual child’s hiking experience, fitness and ability to communicate symptoms — not age alone. Have a low threshold to turn around.
Mount Bierstadt — West Slopes
Paved access, restrooms at Guanella Pass, a recognizable trail and moderate mileage make Bierstadt a reasonable first family 14er for strong hikers. Expect wet boardwalk/willow areas, a long climb and a boulder-hopping summit finish.
Mount Sherman — Southwest Ridge
The standard route is short by 14er standards, which reduces the length of the day. Keep children away from abandoned mine structures and openings, stay on the established route and plan carefully for the rough access road.
Quandary Peak — East Ridge
The route is easy to follow and has low exposure, but it is steep and crowded. Families should be comfortable with several hours of continuous climbing and descending, and should keep clear of mountain goats and other wildlife.
Grays Peak — North Slopes
A good progression after shorter high-altitude hikes. The trail itself is straightforward, but 7.5 miles and 3,000 feet of gain are a substantial day for a child. Do not automatically add Torreys just because it is nearby.
Better 14er choices for experienced mountain dogs
New to 14ers? Leave the dog home for your first few climbs. First learn how you personally handle altitude, weather, route-finding and long descents. When your dog is ready, use a leash, carry extra water and food, protect paws from sharp talus, pack out waste and have a realistic plan to carry or evacuate an injured dog. Always verify current land-manager rules before the hike.
Mount Bierstadt — West Slopes
A common dog-friendly 14er for fit, experienced mountain dogs in dry summer conditions. The final boulder field can be hard on paws and may require assistance. Do not take a dog across the Sawtooth.
Quandary Peak — East Ridge
The Class 1 standard route is more dog-compatible than technical 14ers, but crowds, sharp rock and frequent wildlife encounters make a leash especially important. Confirm current Summit County/Forest Service regulations before the trip.
Mount Sherman — Southwest Ridge
A shorter 14er can reduce total time on a dog’s feet, but old mining areas and sharp rock require control and paw awareness. Keep dogs away from mine openings and structures.
Grays Peak — North Slopes
The established Class 1 trail is preferable to scrambling terrain, but the mileage, altitude, sun and rough rock still demand a conditioned dog. Carry enough water for both of you; do not assume reliable natural water is available or safe.
Worst practices — things not to do
Treat an “easy 14er” as an easy hike.
Class 1 describes the technical terrain, not the altitude, weather, physical effort or consequences of being unprepared.
Start late with thunderstorms in the forecast.
Do not plan to “beat” lightning. If the forecast does not provide a reasonable weather window, choose another objective or another day.
Keep climbing after thunder begins.
The summit is not shelter. Peaks and ridgelines are among the places you do not want to be during an electrical storm.
Rely on one phone app and cell service.
Download maps in advance, carry backup power and know the route. Electronics can fail at the exact moment navigation becomes difficult.
Leave the headlamp and emergency shelter in the car.
Injury, route-finding problems or weather can turn a morning hike into an unplanned night above treeline.
Force large amounts of water “to stay ahead of dehydration.”
Overdrinking during prolonged exertion can be dangerous. Drink to thirst and replace food/electrolytes sensibly rather than chasing an arbitrary fluid target.
Ignore altitude symptoms because you are fit.
Fitness does not prevent altitude illness. Worsening symptoms, confusion, poor coordination or severe breathing difficulty are reasons to descend, not push for the summit.
Carry technical gear you do not know how to use.
An ice axe, crampons or rope can create false confidence. Get hands-on instruction and practice before relying on technical systems in consequential terrain.
Use static rope to catch a climbing fall.
Static/low-stretch rope is not a substitute for certified dynamic climbing rope when fall arrest is part of the system.
Separate the group and leave someone behind.
A tired or symptomatic partner is often the person most likely to need help. Adjust pace or turn the group around rather than abandoning them.
Cut switchbacks or follow random cairns off-route.
Shortcuts accelerate erosion and can lead into dangerous terrain. Stay on sustainable established routes and verify navigation rather than blindly following footprints or cairns.
Let a dog roam around wildlife or exposed terrain.
A loose dog can chase goats, enter hazardous terrain, injure wildlife or become an evacuation problem. Use a leash where required and whenever conditions make control important.
Assume rescue will be quick.
Colorado SAR teams are exceptionally capable, but mountain rescues can take hours. Carry enough clothing, shelter, food and first aid to remain stable while help is mobilized.
Park illegally or ignore access/private-property restrictions.
Blocked roads can delay emergency vehicles and threaten continued public access. Check current trailhead rules, seasonal closures and landowner restrictions before departure.