Which peaks in Sawatch?

[peter303]

Since you are both a flatlander and somewhat older I'd recommend Huron
as a warmup peak and test your condition..

Oxford-Belford is the easiest pair of the three pairs.
And if you are really feeling strong and the storm gods are kind that day, you can triple it with Missouri.

They are all beautiful and unique.
Holy Cross would be the most arduous.

[Derek]

Derek wrote:
Shavano/Tab (Standard...not sure why so many people dislike this one)

Mile .5 to 1.5 is like walking up a creek bed with baby-head rocks. Really sucks coming back down.
Along the creek in the woods is nice.
The part just prior to the saddle is too steep and loose.
Above the saddle is ok; big rocks just prior to summit are nice.

Yeah, I guess after leaving the Colorado Trail its a bit annoying for a distance. I think the reason I like it so much is the trail above treeline. It so nice and gentle, goes really fast. The summit area seems to come unbelievably quick...(I've even hiked unranked Espirit Point to the "angel's right" on a seperate occasion with my GF because I enjoyed it.)

[JA_son27]

I personally think that Holy Cross offers up the most beautiful, albeit most difficult hike in the Sawatch. If not HC I would go with Huron.

[huffy13]

Huron is an awesome hike. I would have to say Shavano is another hike with some great views from the summit.

[jlarocco]

IMO some of the best hiking in the Sawatch is accessed via county road 390.

There's quite a few campsites along the road and easy trailhead access for five 14ers and a bunch of 13ers. Hiking ranges from relatively easy (such as Huron) to epic combination hikes (like Missouri, Oxford and Belford).

Also, the view from the peaks in that area are some of the best in the Sawatch.

[huffy13]

IMO some of the best hiking in the Sawatch is accessed via county road 390.

There's quite a few campsites along the road and easy trailhead access for five 14ers and a bunch of 13ers. Hiking ranges from relatively easy (such as Huron) to epic combination hikes (like Missouri, Oxford and Belford).

Also, the view from the peaks in that area are some of the best in the Sawatch.

I agree with this. Great camping at Winfield and it is easily accessible.

[MtHurd]

Holy Cross is by far the best Sawatch 14er. I didn't mention it because it isn't very close to Buena Vista.

[Jim Davies]

No way, Ouray is the best Sawatch 14er. Only half joking....the Grays Creek/Devils Armchair routes are probably my favorite in the whole range, and you can almost reach 14K' from the summit if you stretch real high.

[OBC13]

I have a hard time ranking these so I am just listing them in the order that I would return to climb them again.
Holy Cross
Shavano/Tab
La Plata
Missouri
Yale
Huron
Harvard
Columbia
Belford
Elbert
Massive
Princeton
Oxford

[Michael J]

I haven't climbed all of the Sawatch 14ers, but I would have to agree that Huron is the prettiest of the hikes of the ones I've done. Hearing about Holy Cross nakes me want to climb it next Summer.