14ers.com

My in-laws are coming in town, and we'd like to do some sort of summit with them. We'll be camping near Aspen around Aug 20, but all of the 14ers are a little difficult in the area. We'd like something in the 7-8 mile roundtrip range, with moderate elevation gain. Any suggestions?

Castle Peak is pretty easy.. but as for other options:

Red Mountain. You can do this hike as a loop (if you have two vehicles). Start at Hunter Creek TH on north edge of town, climb/traverse Red Mountain with fantastic views of town, ski areas, and the rest of the Elk Range. Return to same TH or carry on to Sunnyside TH if you have a second vehicle.

Buckskin Pass. Though not quite a mountain, I find the view from the pass prettier/more dramatic than many 14er summits. Start at Maroon Lake, hike to Crater Lake at base of Maroon Bells and then just head up the pass.

How about Electric Pass?

Twining and 13500 from Indy Pass are both good, low key ops. Mileage is around 5 total with less than 2500 vert for both peaks. Nice views too. Park at the top of Independence Pass and start hiking north.

MrFrumpylane wrote:Buckskin Pass. Though not quite a mountain, I find the view from the pass prettier/more dramatic than many 14er summits. Start at Maroon Lake, hike to Crater Lake at base of Maroon Bells and then just head up the pass.

Buckskin Pass isn't a mountain, but Buckskin Benchmark is and has probably the best view of Snowmass/Snowmass Lake I've seen. Class 1 pretty much the whole way, maybe a class 2 step to gain the summit http://www.summitpost.org/buckskin-bm/153002" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another option is Willoughby Mountain. Incredible View of the Snowmass/Cap ridge. I'm sure OldSchool would greatly appreciate a picture if you went that way. The only TR on this site is from SarahT in April but still applicable though. Astrobassman and I had no trouble hiking it with a mean hangover after Cheeseburglar's wedding celebration last fall so routefinding should be pretty easy when sober. Here is the view you'd be greated with: http://www.summitpost.org/capitol-snowm ... 4/c-150300" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Again, not a mountain, but consider Geneva Lake. A beautiful hike, awesome camping and stellar views of Snowmass and Hagerman. Plus, you can climb higher on either peak if you're interested. Summits aren't critical for a great time.

Thanks all for the suggestions!

I will let you know what we end up doing. (Mid August)

Mt. Sopris wouldn't be bad.