Beginner 14er

[SoCool]

Pool of Tears, Angelique Coulier

I'm quickly developing a reputation for correcting others, but someone has to do it:

It's the Bowl of Tears, and the Angelica Couloir.

[TallGrass]

I plan to hike mt. Holy cross this june 2016 however I am a beginner 65 years of age in good active health. Which route do you recommend that would be the easiest and without exposure to the edge etc. ... I might try an easier 14er since I'm coming from Kansas.

I've put up three trip reports (from KS too) which cover three approaches (standard, Fall Creek, Fall Creek from south aka Homestake) and three routes (standard, Halo via shelter trail, Halo via Notch Mountain), including with the road open and closed.

Early June, Road Closed
+ no crowds and likely no other people
+ pick of trail head campsites (tables, fire rings, pit john)
+ pick of E. Cross Creek sites (no fires, cat hole, pack out TP)
+ can make a leisurely 3-5 day hike
+ any encounters near HC will only be with dedicated hikers
- pit john might have no TP (BYO)
- can still be below freezing at night, especially up high
- snow may linger on route
- seldom climbed then, so no "conditions" beta (e.g. snow)
- adds 7 miles or so to hike up road from lower parking area, easy but dry
- pack 3 liters for hike up (creek water at TH)

Late June, Road Open
+ can park in TH lot
+ snow likely gone
+ usually warmer
+ more people on trail if you have a problem
- pit john TP goes fast (BYO)
- cold nights still possible
- crowded or full TH parking lot Fri-Sun
- TH campsites likely full
- ECC campsites likely full

If you opt for Fall Creek Trail from the south (aka Homestake) before Tigiwon road opens, pick up
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/ ... -trail-map
You can drive and park at Fancy Creek / Missouri Lakes Trail Heads, hike up to Holy Cross City, Take Hunky Dory Trail to the pass which becomes Fall Creek Trail. You'll have to hike back or thumb a ride if you don't loop back. Likely easier thumbing a ride the other way (FC/ML TH back to lower Tigiwon lot) -- finding a ride from TH to highway than highway to TH. Route is pretty Class 1 with spots of Class 2 plus navigating any tree fall over the winter.

Regarding first time, read more here:
http://14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f= ... 09#p591909
Build a good cardio base including ascending (stairs, hills, no machines). Train hard, easy hike, Train easy, hard hike.

Get your pack weight down (<1lb pad, 1lb 30F bag, <2.5lb tent) and use trekking poles.

[koeffling]

A word of warning, tho - 14er's can become VERY addictive...As I've written before, there is a 58 step plan that is supposed to help but I think that just leads to a 13er addiction....

Truth.

[greenonion]

You might want to look into Yale and Shavano as firsts. If you have decent 4WD, Uncompahgre is another good one. There are easier ones like Handies, but I suggest the others as being more challenging in terms of effort without being over the top. Castle is a good one too with a small scramble toward the top. Huron is a great beginner 14er and has some of the best views of any. I think you can see up to about 20 other 14ers from its summit. Be sure to review the trip routes, photos, and mileages on this site. Have fun and pay attention to the time and weather!

[greenonion]

Meant to mention... Holy Cross could be a great first 14er, but for a beginner, it would be a big bite as others have alluded to.

[BuckTurgidson]

I plan to hike mt. Holy cross this june 2016 however I am a beginner 65 years of age in good active health. Which route do you recommend that would be the easiest and without exposure to the edge etc.
Thx
GF

My first two 14ers, at age 57, were Handies and then Uncompahgre about 3 days later. Both were plenty for me at that age, in the month of July. They were about 7 or 8 miles RT, IIRC.

My wife and I both thought Uncompahgre was easier, but maybe we were just conditioned and acclimated.

[Rollie Free]

Pool of Tears, Angelique Coulier

I'm quickly developing a reputation for correcting others, but someone has to do it:

It's the Bowl of Tears, and the Angelica Couloir.

Deserve that one. Pool of tears? Don't know why I typed that. The misspelling I am taking on full responsibility for by blaming a french version of auto correct.