Help needed choosing San Juan peaks

[scottw3]

Help me pick my peaks.

Coming from flatland Tennessee to Lake City in July and I need help choosing which 14ers to hike.
I have experience with class 2 hikes (G&T from Argentine Pass, Huron North Ridge from Lulu Gulch, and Bierstadt)

I for sure will choose Wetterhorn on day 1. Looking to do either Unc or Handies (East slope up and SW slopes down) on day 2. Between Unc or Handies, which would you choose and why? I'm only able to come out to CO once or twice a year and want to choose quality over quantity (best scenery, peak views, prettiest ascent, etc).

Thanks!

[Wentzl]

If coming later in July, Handies. One of the better wildflower areas.

For a nice tour, leave your car at Grizzly Gulch and hitch a ride to American Basin then hike back to your car over the mountain. Much more fun than anything Uncompahgre has to offer.

[scottw3]

It will be first week of July, not sure how the flowers will be then. So you think Handies >>Uncompahgre?

I was thinking if I did Handies, it would be the opposite direction. I figured it would be easier to hitch a ride back to GG from AB than the other way around.

[Jorts]

It will be first week of July, not sure how the flowers will be then.

They’re still popping. Especially in wet years up high. And it’s been a wet year up high. Wetterhorn is Columbine city.

[Wentzl]

Uncompahgre, not to sell it short, is a more magnificent summit. Highest in the land and a grand 1000' cliff face you can stare down, or kick a football off of, if you were so inclined.

[scottw3]

hitch hike uphill, walk downhill. think about it.

Also, take the chance at the start of the day, you want to know how the day ends.

Thats a good point.
I just wasn't sure how easy it would be finding a ride to American basin TH super early in the morning. And if I didn't, I'd be walking uphill. If I couldn't find a ride in the afternoon, I'd have to walk downhill. At least that's what my though process was.

[scottw3]

Uncompahgre, not to sell it short, is a more magnificent summit. Highest in the land and a grand 1000' cliff face you can stare down, or kick a football off of, if you were so inclined.

So you would choose Uncompahgre instead of Handies?

[climbingcue]

Uncompahgre, not to sell it short, is a more magnificent summit. Highest in the land and a grand 1000' cliff face you can stare down, or kick a football off of, if you were so inclined.

So you would choose Uncompahgre instead of Handies?

I would

[Phill the Thrill]

If you're climbing Wetterhorn already, consider adding Uncompahgre either as a long-ish single day combo or camp at treeline and climb them on consecutive days. I'd do that rather than return all the way back to your car and driving over to Handies, hitching a ride, etc.

[dwoodward13]

I think the end answer is you can't go wrong with either. Those two are some of the best 14ers in the state.

One consideration I haven't seen mentioned is the road to Uncompaghre. If you don't have a legit 4x4 vehicle, it would require at least some or possibly a significant amount of road walking (or hitch hiking). If you've got a standard SUV and don't want to rent a Jeep in town, Handies is the easy choice.

As for the Tour de Handies, I too would park at GG and descend AB. Hitching a ride in the afternoon IMO would be easier. Worst case is you just walk down the road. Hitching up in the dark could be very hit or miss. You certainly wont have the SxS crowd out yet, although I could see an argument that they might be less likely to allow a hitch anyways given their space constraints.

[scottw3]

If you're climbing Wetterhorn already, consider adding Uncompahgre either as a long-ish single day combo or camp at treeline and climb them on consecutive days. I'd do that rather than return all the way back to your car and driving over to Handies, hitching a ride, etc.

I thought about that but 17+ miles and 6000+ ft elevation gain has me questioning. Even if I started early enough and had the weather window, im not sure if I'd be able to complete Handies on day 2.

[scottw3]

I think the end answer is you can't go wrong with either. Those two are some of the best 14ers in the state.

One consideration I haven't seen mentioned is the road to Uncompaghre. If you don't have a legit 4x4 vehicle, it would require at least some or possibly a significant amount of road walking (or hitch hiking). If you've got a standard SUV and don't want to rent a Jeep in town, Handies is the easy choice.

As for the Tour de Handies, I too would park at GG and descend AB. Hitching a ride in the afternoon IMO would be easier. Worst case is you just walk down the road. Hitching up in the dark could be very hit or miss. You certainly wont have the SxS crowd out yet, although I could see an argument that they might be less likely to allow a hitch anyways given their space constraints.

I'm renting a stock 4wd wrangler and driving from Denver so I should be ok with the roads to the TH depending on conditions.
My thoughts exactly on the direction for Handies.