Non-14er ideas

[elkhiker]

A friend and I are meeting in Denver in a few weeks for eight days of hiking. We're planning to hike Elbert, Grays and Torreys via Kelso Ridge, and Longs via the Keyhole Route. In case either of us has a problem with the altitude, I'd like to have a few other hikes in reserve. Could anyone recommend lower peaks in RMNP or the area between Denver and Elbert that offer fun scrambling (class 3 max) and round trip distances up to 12-15 miles?

Thank you!

[DeTour]

I guess you can't really recommend something you haven't actually done (duh!), but having done some research on it, I've seen Father Dyer Peak get some real love from those who have been there. Tenmile-Mosquito range, near Quandary, between Elbert and the Front Range:
http://www.13ers.com/peaks/peak.php?pea ... +Dyer+Peak
I've been promoting the idea of doing the Mt. Helen - Father Dyer ridge to my partners. Having trouble convincing them to take interest in 13ers, so I guess I'm trying to sell it to you! Others link Father Dyer with Crystal Peak because it (Crystal) is a Centennial.

[Layne Bracy]

Bison Peak is a great outing.

http://www.summitpost.org/bison-peak/151572" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Derek]

I've seen Father Dyer Peak get some real love from those who have been there. Tenmile-Mosquito range, near Quandary, between Elbert and the Front Range:
http://www.13ers.com/peaks/peak.php?pea ... +Dyer+Peak" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I've been promoting the idea of doing the Mt. Helen - Father Dyer ridge to my partners. Having trouble convincing them to take interest in 13ers, so I guess I'm trying to sell it to you! Others link Father Dyer with Crystal Peak because it (Crystal) is a Centennial.

Although Father Dyer is a fun scramble (I enjoyed it quite a bit) it sounds like the original poster wants a back up plan in case of altitude issues. If altitude is an issue, the difference between a high 13er and a 14er is pretty small. I'd probably stick at LEAST below the 13K mark if altitude is an issue.

Bison Peak is a great outing.

http://www.summitpost.org/bison-peak/151572" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Agree, great area and great trip. From the east is longer but less gain, from the west is shorter but stiffer.

I also like the alphabetizer route in the Lost Creek Wilderness (same as Bison). Nice full day, wont see many people, some interesting summits.
Trip Report (just ignore the peaks that are not X, Y Z, and Zephyr)=http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepor ... ki=Include

Long Scraggy/Pt7774 and/or Raleigh Peak make a good low elevation hike with some scrambling as well. Might be a bit warm though...
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepor ... ki=Include

--D

[Jesse M]

I have always enjoyed grey rock, it is about 30 minutes outside of Fort Collins up Poudre canyon-highway 14. I have used this climb to help acclimate lowlanders before a 14er.