How fit do I need to be to climb Mt Bierstadt?

If you can comfortably hike 7 miles with 2,850 ft of gain at low elevation, you can probably finish Bierstadt — it'll just take longer than you expect because of the altitude. Plan on 5-7 hours round trip and don't be surprised if your pace drops to under a mile an hour above 13,500 ft.

Do I need to acclimatize before climbing my first fourteener?

Yes. We tell everyone to sleep two nights above 7,000 ft before the attempt — staying in Denver doesn't count, since it's only around 5,300 ft. Leadville, Breckenridge, or any Front Range mountain town works.

When is the best time of year to hike Bierstadt or Quandary?

Mid-July through mid-September is the standard window for snow-free Class 2 conditions. June can still have lingering snowfields above 13,000 ft, and by late September you're gambling on early storms. July weekdays give you the best balance of conditions and crowd size.

What time should I start a fourteener hike?

On the trailhead by 5am, moving by first light. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer, and the rule we don't break is: turn around at noon if you're not on the summit, regardless of how close it looks.

Is Mt Sherman a good first fourteener?

It's the easiest one statistically — 4.2 miles and 2,100 ft of gain from the upper trailhead — and some people start there. We'd rather send a first-timer up Bierstadt because Sherman's old mining slopes and loose scree aren't a great introduction to what fourteeners actually feel like.

Can I do Quandary Peak as my first fourteener if I'm in good shape?

You can, and plenty of fit people do. Just know it's about 600 more feet of gain than Bierstadt in less distance, with some easy scrambling on the east ridge — manageable, but it punishes a slow acclimatization more than Bierstadt does.

What gear do I actually need for a Class 2 fourteener in summer?

Trail runners or light hikers, 2-3 liters of water, a wind shell and an insulated layer (summit temps can be 30-40°F colder than the trailhead), sun protection, and a headlamp for the pre-dawn start. Trekking poles help on the descent more than most people expect.

Which Colorado Fourteener Should Be Your First?

By Jake Reyes · April 26, 2026 · 2 min read

Jake has been up enough fourteeners to know the right way to break someone in. The honest first-time picks below.

Mt Bierstadt — the right answer for most people

14,065 ft. 7 miles round trip, 2,850 ft of gain, Class 2 the whole way (no real scrambling). Trailhead is paved. The Sawtooth ridge is impressive but the standard route doesn't touch it. You'll see 200 other people on a Saturday in July, which is the right number for your first time — there's a margin of safety in numbers when you're still figuring out what altitude feels like.

Quandary Peak — better for fitness training

14,265 ft. 6.7 miles, 3,450 ft gain. East ridge is the standard route. More elevation gain than Bierstadt in less distance. Easier scrambling but more sustained. We send people here who've done Bierstadt and want to know what a slightly bigger day feels like.

Mt Sherman — the budget option

14,036 ft, 4.2 miles, 2,100 ft gain. The shortest fourteener in the state if you take the high trailhead. Also the least scenic — old mining ruins, sage scree. Some people's first fourteener; we don't personally love it.

What we don't recommend as a first

Anything with “Couloir” in the route name.
Maroon Peak. Beautiful from below; Class 4 with rotten rock above. People die here every year.
Anything in the San Juans. The drive alone is half a day from anywhere.

The non-negotiable advice

Sleep two nights above 7,000 ft before your attempt. Start at the trailhead by 5am — afternoon thunderstorms above treeline are not a metaphor. Turn around at noon if you're not on top, no matter how close you feel.

Tagged

Common questions

How fit do I need to be to climb Mt Bierstadt?: If you can comfortably hike 7 miles with 2,850 ft of gain at low elevation, you can probably finish Bierstadt — it'll just take longer than you expect because of the altitude. Plan on 5-7 hours round trip and don't be surprised if your pace drops to under a mile an hour above 13,500 ft.
Do I need to acclimatize before climbing my first fourteener?: Yes. We tell everyone to sleep two nights above 7,000 ft before the attempt — staying in Denver doesn't count, since it's only around 5,300 ft. Leadville, Breckenridge, or any Front Range mountain town works.
When is the best time of year to hike Bierstadt or Quandary?: Mid-July through mid-September is the standard window for snow-free Class 2 conditions. June can still have lingering snowfields above 13,000 ft, and by late September you're gambling on early storms. July weekdays give you the best balance of conditions and crowd size.
What time should I start a fourteener hike?: On the trailhead by 5am, moving by first light. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer, and the rule we don't break is: turn around at noon if you're not on the summit, regardless of how close it looks.
Is Mt Sherman a good first fourteener?: It's the easiest one statistically — 4.2 miles and 2,100 ft of gain from the upper trailhead — and some people start there. We'd rather send a first-timer up Bierstadt because Sherman's old mining slopes and loose scree aren't a great introduction to what fourteeners actually feel like.
Can I do Quandary Peak as my first fourteener if I'm in good shape?: You can, and plenty of fit people do. Just know it's about 600 more feet of gain than Bierstadt in less distance, with some easy scrambling on the east ridge — manageable, but it punishes a slow acclimatization more than Bierstadt does.
What gear do I actually need for a Class 2 fourteener in summer?: Trail runners or light hikers, 2-3 liters of water, a wind shell and an insulated layer (summit temps can be 30-40°F colder than the trailhead), sun protection, and a headlamp for the pre-dawn start. Trekking poles help on the descent more than most people expect.

About the author

Jake Reyes

Lead gear tester · Bishop, California

Jake spent his twenties guiding raft trips and rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra and now leads our gear-testing program. If a piece has been on a Pack Your Tent gear list, odds are Jake has carried it for 50+ miles or chopped wood with it in 20-degree sleet.

Wilderness First Responder. Ten seasons guiding for OARS in the Sierra Nevada. AMGA Single-Pitch Instructor cert.

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