Georgian planning a 14er hike

[drcroberts]

I will be in the South Fork area in late april, and would like to tackle a 14er while in state. What is the best one in that area to take on as a day hike? (I have about 700 miles of the Appalachain Trail under my feet, but I know that's nothing like a 14er.) Any advice/recommendations are helpful!

[ECF55]

Snow, snow and more snow in April. How’s your snow experience?

[Mtnman200]

I will be in the South Fork area in late april, and would like to tackle a 14er while in state. What is the best one in that area to take on as a day hike? (I have about 700 miles of the Appalachain Trail under my feet, but I know that's nothing like a 14er.) Any advice/recommendations are helpful!

50. North Eolus51. Sunlight Peak52. Windom Peak53. Mt. Eolus54. Ellingwood Point55. Blanca Peak56. Little Bear Peak57. Mt. Lindsey58. Culebra Peak are all in the area you are staying.

With the exception of Culebra and Lindsey, the above-suggested peaks are best done as backpacks, but not in April when they'll be deep in snow.

Culebra's on private land and requires special arrangements (and $150) to climb, and I wouldn't recommend Lindsey in April for a first 14er.

[OldTrad]

If you’re open to driving a couple of hours there may be some better options.

[Rollie Free]

Drcroberts.
Unfortunately, while most places in the U.S. are enjoying spring the Rockies are getting their biggest snows. Dont confuse what you normally think of as Spring with what you would run into at that elevation.
My personal 14er season (I'm a flatlander) doesnt start until the latter part of June. There is still snow but its manageable usually without shoes or spikes. But that's just me.

Edit.
You know what? Why not make the effort to take a trip in mid to late July? Itll be sweltering where you're at and you'd find very pleasant temperatures in the higher elevation towns like Breck, Leadville, Salida etc.. Skip trying a fourteener. You'll just become addicted and then where would you be?

[HikerGuy]

Yale is the closest peak with a year-round trailhead. Not technical, but I imagine you'll need snowshoes. There might even be a nice boot track, but maybe not, everything is conditions-dependent in the spring. If we have a snowy April and/or snowfall close to or during your visit, I'd say skip a 14er unless you have experience in snow travel and know how to evaluate conditions. Given good conditions, Yale via southwest slopes might be your best closest choice. Google Maps drive time from South Fork to Denny Creek TH is 2h 17m.

[Ptglhs]

If he's through hiked 700 miles of the AT he's no stranger to adversity, planning, or gear prep. I think level advice is better than trying to scare someone off.

I don't think anything near there is a day hike. The non standard route up San Luis is 20+ miles. You would need snowshoes, or skins, ice axe, and micro spikes at a minimum. Crampons might be overkill, or they might be handy. Knowing how to use this gear is just as necessary as having it.

If you can do some driving Quandary would be the best 14er to tackle that time of year. Yale's standard route, La Plata's Winter variation, or Massive from fish hatchery are all doable as spring hikes. Know how the elevation and cold will affect you, have layers, waterproof shell, etc. Know where the avy slopes are and how to avoid them. Use a camelback under a couple of layers to keep you fluids liquid. Feel free to PM with specific questions.

[Trotter]

If he's through hiked 700 miles of the AT he's no stranger to adversity, planning, or gear prep. I think level advice is better than trying to scare someone off.

I don't think anything near there is a day hike. The non standard route up San Luis is 20+ miles. You would need snowshoes, or skins, ice axe, and micro spikes at a minimum. Crampons might be overkill, or they might be handy. Knowing how to use this gear is just as necessary as having it.

If you can do some driving Quandary would be the best 14er to tackle that time of year. Yale's standard route, La Plata's Winter variation, or Massive from fish hatchery are all doable as spring hikes. Know how the elevation and cold will affect you, have layers, waterproof shell, etc. Know where the avy slopes are and how to avoid them. Use a camelback under a couple of layers to keep you fluids liquid. Feel free to PM with specific questions.

+1

Nothing in that area above 10000 feet will be considered a typical "day hike".

[mtree]

Given the unpredictable weather conditions in April, I'd play the odds and head north for something in the Sawatch Range. At least you'd stand a chance of a good trench and accessible trailheads.

Yale
Belford
Shavano
Huron, maybe
and possibly, La Plata

Everything else in the area is going to be tough to get to. Humbolt would be a good choice, but that's a pretty far drive no matter how you slice it. Otherwise, the 14ers with best "winter" access are up in the Mosquito and Front Range...and Quandary.

[highpilgrim]

I will be in the South Fork area in late april, and would like to tackle a 14er while in state.

Quandary, with it's safe crowd for company and beaten trail for a reasonable day.

Better yet: Drive south, to New Mexico at least. Lots to do there in April.

[drcroberts]

Thanks for all the intel, folks. Sounds like April is an unwise time to give this a try. Will need to return another time!

[Scott P]

Thanks for all the intel, folks. Sounds like April is an unwise time to give this a try. Will need to return another time!

Don't write it off completely though. If you can get some willing partners, some of the easier/safer peaks would be reasonable (assuming you rented or had the proper equipment).

Another possibility would be to visit some of the many other attractions at a lower elevation. Bad weather can still happen, but the Sand Dunes aren't that far from South Fork and should be pretty nice by late April.

You could also head 4 hours away to parts of NM, Arizona, and Utah, Western Colorado which will have a lot of (likely) snow free places to visit.