First timer looking to hike a 14er

[Wildernessjane]

Not much to add other than please know that the Million Dollar Highway is a long ways from Denver. Denver to Ouray is 5-1/2 hours drive with minimal traffic and that is just to get started. It might be a bit much to fit in if you are only around for a week and flying in and out of DIA.

[nyker]

Hi,
My name is Manikatha. I will be traveling to Denver end of the month and be there for about a week. Plan is to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, hike a 14er (preferably Gray's and Torreys Peaks), drive up Pike's peak, drive Million Dollar Highway. This would be my first big hike. Had some experience with hiking in general and did a few ruck marches during my time in service. I am looking for guidance on how to approach my hike, especially with all the tragic incidents I have read off late, not to mention bear attacks too. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Main thing in addition to all the above comments, is make sure you properly acclimatize. Even the "easiest" 14ers discussed are still 14,000+ft which if you've never been up high before could make for a miserable day. You don't mention if you have experiencing hiking/exerting yourself at higher elevations, so if you don't prepare accordingly, hydrate well, and go slow.

I've seen people fly in from sea level and drive to the top of Mt Evans or Pikes Peak same day and become a bit disoriented and dizzy and get bad headaches on top due to the lack of acclimatizing and have trouble driving down safely, which unless you have spent some time up high recently may cause you some issues.

[Wentzl]

[joshb]

Grays+Torreys is excellent, but as others have noted - parking could be an issue. The road up there could be a bit of a shock if you've only ever really driven on "normal" roads (ask how I know....). Start earlier than you think you should, take a lot of water, some snacks, windbreaker, and enjoy. I would recommend downloading the route photos/.GPX file/whatever you need to make sure you stay on route (particularly traversing from G to T - I did it when there was snow, and it was not at all clear where exactly the route was).

Good luck - enjoy!

[seannunn]

First timer 14er advice is simple stuff:

Start early (4am).
Bring some food and plenty of water (bare minimum 2L).
Start slow to give your body time to warm up and determine how well your body is handling altitude.
Take warm clothes & a rain jacket in your pack, regardless of the forecast (especially true now that fall is almost here).
Have a way to contact SAR should something terrible happen.
Don't be afraid to turn around prior to the summit should the weather not look good or you just aren't feeling it.
Have fun.

Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO

[nyker]

Grays+Torreys is excellent, but as others have noted - parking could be an issue. The road up there could be a bit of a shock if you've only ever really driven on "normal" roads (ask how I know....). Start earlier than you think you should, take a lot of water, some snacks, windbreaker, and enjoy. I would recommend downloading the route photos/.GPX file/whatever you need to make sure you stay on route (particularly traversing from G to T - I did it when there was snow, and it was not at all clear where exactly the route was).

Good luck - enjoy!

You can always park at the I-70 TH if you don't want to drive up the road or only have a 2wd vehicle and just budget for the extra time and vert, then no stresses about the road up or vehicle damage.