Hiking Longs Peak in Estes Park, Colorado, is a thrilling adventure for experienced hikers and somewhat of a rite of passage for Colorado residents. The 15-mile round trip via The Keyhole Route is challenging, with steep ascents, narrow ledges, and exposed rock faces.

The Harvard-Columbia traverse is one of those hikes that people groan about on hiking forums and where SAR rescues are plenty. I was certainly a little spooked by the reviews on it, so I knew that if I ever attempted it I would have a partner with me.

We started hiking around 3:15AM. The trail goes up for approximately 1.5 miles, where Notch Mountain will be on your left. While we couldn’t see it in the dark, we knew that it was there since you’ll then start to descend. The descent is 1,000 feet (!!) and leads to the East Cross Creek and adjacent campground.

Saturday, June 29: My friend Lacie and I headed to the trailhead for Huron Peak in the wee hours of the morning, only to be greeted with rain and chilly weather. Fast forward to July 2, where I headed off to the trailhead after work- I had to get this hike done!

Mt. Sherman is ranked No. 43 on the lists of Colorado 14’ers, situated in the Mosquito Range at an elevation of 14,043. I had a friend visiting for the weekend and she was most excited to tackle a 14’er. Mt. Sherman is on the easier side, and a good option for those visiting Colorado looking for a challenge that won’t totally do them in.

Our hike up Grey’s and Torreys was completely in the dark until about 30 minutes from the summit, and it was a quite chilly morning! We had prepared for some cold but we would have welcomed another layer and warmer gloves. There was a cloud inversion, combined with a light sunrise, which made for a beautiful view. We didn’t last up top long though because of the howling wind- and trying to shelter by a wall of rocks did us no good.

Located just under 30 minutes from Breckenridge, Quandary Peak is one of Colorado’s most climbed 14’er because of its reputation of being on the easier side. Parking for this hike used to congest the road leading in and it led to unsafe road conditions, so to reduce that there is a parking lot reservation system or you can take a shuttle from the Breckenridge Gondola Lot. Read more here on how to access Quandary Peak.