Evidence that 13ers are still safe from the hordes

[SnowAlien]

You all need to STFU about 13ers... because if I get knocked down to the 5th page of 13er checklists, I'm going to have to trade my hikes for hours of quiet weeping and self-flagellation instead.

Try staying on the first page. Three hundred 13ers no longer cuts it.

lol, I've noticed the struggle on the 1st page. I'd love to be able to get on the 2nd page though. Before it gets too crowded lol

[Matt]

I hate to break it to you all, but even the 12ers are no longer safe.
We hiked Byers Peak, outside Fraser yesterday because at nine miles/3k, it was a good one to do after a Leftover Salmon concert in Winter Park on Saturday evening.
We saw 31 people on the trail. At least four other groups were on the summit with us at various times, and two trail runners met us on their way down.
While Byers is an impressive peak and a pleasant hike with panoramic views of the Gores, IPW, and Herman Gulch/Loveland Pass peaks, 31 people was more than I expect to see on 10 13er hikes that are not easy peaks near Denver.

[brett.t.burch]

I have climbed Mount Audubon several times and seen people on the summit every time.

[highpilgrim]

You all have fun up north, now.

Not too late for you to go along, Mano. I don't think there'll be any crowds were we're headed.

[Furthermore]

For those seeking solitude on 13ers, try the LEAST ticked 13ers on LOJ. Dynamic in nature, trying to completing this list, one could entirely change this list.....
http://listsofjohn.com/Colorado/13ERSLC.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In contrast, here is a list of the top 50 most ticked 13ers on LOJ. I wouldn't necessarily expect solitude on any of these.
http://listsofjohn.com/Colorado/13ERSMC.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kimo]

Byers Peak and Mount Audubon have good trails and good trails attract people. Audubon's 13er neighbor Paiute Peak probably receives less than half the visits of Audubon. Byers' 12er neighbor Bills Peak probably sees a small percentage of the visits that Byers gets. I've been on the five 12ers in the Byers Wilderness, and the only one shared with other hikers was Byers Peak.

We found a lonesome summit register on an IPW 12er recently. Hadn't been signed since last year. Seemed remarkable considering Front Range population growth. It was a satisfying place to be.

For those seeking solitude on 13ers, try the LEAST ticked 13ers on LOJ. Dynamic in nature, trying to completing this list, one could entirely change this list.....
http://listsofjohn.com/Colorado/13ERSLC.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is cool. Other LOJ'ers could also influence the list while in pursuit. Thanks for sharing it.

[Kent McLemore]

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
-Yogi Berra

[djkest]

Anything close to Denver is going to be popular. The Tenmile 13ers seem to be somewhat popular, from the East or West. I had Pacific and Atlantic to myself (there were hordes of people at the lake), but Crystal Peak might as well have been Mt. Sherman when I did it a couple Saturdays ago. Peak 7 and Peak 8- you'll probably never see someone on those.

Sangres and San Juans- probably going to be pretty sparse.
Then again, compared to many people on this website, it's like a 1st grader telling someone about what school is like.

[Chicago Transplant]

For those seeking solitude on 13ers, try the LEAST ticked 13ers on LOJ. Dynamic in nature, trying to completing this list, one could entirely change this list.....
http://listsofjohn.com/Colorado/13ERSLC.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In contrast, here is a list of the top 50 most ticked 13ers on LOJ. I wouldn't necessarily expect solitude on any of these.
http://listsofjohn.com/Colorado/13ERSMC.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unfortunately he doesn't have similar lists for the 14ers, but my non-scientific assumption that the Wilsons and Culebra are the least popular yields 253 ascents of Mt Wilson, 261 of Culebra and 281 of Wilson Peak on LOJ. That would mean that the LEAST popular 14ers are roughly equal the MOST popular 13ers (Sniktau 278 and James 253).

Meanwhile Bierstadt has 566, Grays 603 and Elbert 619.

I actually remember the days when LOJ's least climbed 50 13ers list still had Gore summits on it

[pw]

Any thoughts about what are the "popular 13ers"?

West Spanish
Silverheels
Sniktau/whichever Grizzly is beyond Sniktau
North Arapaho
James
The ones above Berthoud Pass
Ouray
Horseshoe/Sheridan, they're better mountains than Sherman
Red? You have to pay for it anyway
The "other" Red, in the Gore, is rather popular

I'd throw in Square Top, Gray Wolf, Bard and Parnassus as peaks where you have a chance to see people. Took a stroll to Square Top lake a few weeks ago on a weekday and talked to several people headed up the peak. (of course, with this thread the cat's out of the bag and they will all be packed going forward)

[ElFuegoDelaMuerte]

Lies!!

These three people were seriously crowding us out and ruining our view of West Buffalo Peak last weekend...

[pw]

Lies!!

These three people were seriously crowding us out and ruining our view of West Buffalo Peak last weekend...

Brutal...