Mount Ouray before 14ers?

[P_Weidman22]

Hello to any and all willing to give some input on the idea of hiking Mount Ouray as a precursor to any 14ers. (My name is Paige:)) I’m a 25 y.o. who is pretty active outdoors (hiking, snowboarding, fly-fishing) & in pretty good shape. My most comparable/strenuous hike of 2025 fall was Oh-Be-Joyful over in the Raggeds: I covered 13.5 miles on trail in 4 hours 45 minutes with just under 2,200’ in gain. Giving some context in case anyone has thoughts on how “ready” I might be to tackle something like Mount Ouray. From reading about the West ridge approach, I’m thinking this sounds like it might be a good “next-step” and goal to complete a hike similar to that caliber, if you will, before attempting 14ers/other routes of similar differently; I say this because I know Mount Ouray is just shy of making that classification. Any and all input welcome, I’m located right near the Marshall pass entrance next to Sargents, CO (right off of US-50), so proximity is not a problem or consideration for me as I can get to Marshall Pass TH in about 45 minutes.

[randalmartin]

Ouray West Ridge is a nice route and since you are close to it, why not. But I wouldn't say you need to do that as a test to see if you are ready for a 14er. I would say just jump in and do one of the easier 14ers, Quandary or Sherman are pretty easy and not far from you

[JerJerBinks]

IMO it's a very doable mountain for you. I'd be sure Marshall pass is open though if you're gonna go soon. Not certain here but it might open around May 15th. I was in the area a few weeks ago and ran into a few closed gates including Marshall pass which is gated a little ways up.
I also think that that Ouray is probably harder than some of the less challenging 14ers. My group got turned around by ice and I haven't been back.
Sherman is probably easier and very underrated.

[Ptglhs]

I was the last person who climbed the west ridge in 2020 (I'm assuming, since it was smelling of snow when I was descending and they got dumped on that night and closed the pass for the season the next day).

It's a beautiful hike. I didn't see anyone all day, which is typical of 13ers. I didn't see much of trail in some pleaces. But the route is mostly obvious. I think of 13ers as being harder than 14ers. They see less than 1% of the traffic of 14ers, and route finding is much harder. If you can handle ouray then you can handle any class 2 14er, but not everyone who waddles up Bierstadt would be okay with route finding on ouray.

[P_Weidman22]

Ouray West Ridge is a nice route and since you are close to it, why not. But I wouldn't say you need to do that as a test to see if you are ready for a 14er. I would say just jump in and do one of the easier 14ers, Quandary or Sherman are pretty easy and not far from you

Hi Randal, that’s kind of where my brain is at “why not.” Thank you for the response

[P_Weidman22]

IMO it's a very doable mountain for you. I'd be sure Marshall pass is open though if you're gonna go soon. Not certain here but it might open around May 15th. I was in the area a few weeks ago and ran into a few closed gates including Marshall pass which is gated a little ways up.
I also think that that Ouray is probably harder than some of the less challenging 14ers. My group got turned around by ice and I haven't been back.
Sherman is probably easier and very underrated.

Understood, yes it’s looking like Marshall should be open relatively soon — some precipitation this week (believe it or not!!!) but I imagine it is mostly on its way to “dried out.”

How long ago was the group hike on Ouray you’re referring to? Just out of curiosity. When did you hike Sherman? I’d be interested to hear a little about that experience, I’m not familiar with that one truthfully

[P_Weidman22]

I was the last person who climbed the west ridge in 2020 (I'm assuming, since it was smelling of snow when I was descending and they got dumped on that night and closed the pass for the season the next day).

It's a beautiful hike. I didn't see anyone all day, which is typical of 13ers. I didn't see much of trail in some pleaces. But the route is mostly obvious. I think of 13ers as being harder than 14ers. They see less than 1% of the traffic of 14ers, and route finding is much harder. If you can handle ouray then you can handle any class 2 14er, but not everyone who waddles up Bierstadt would be okay with route finding on ouray.

Hi! Thanks for this response, this is interested and absolutely makes sense, not thought of it that way. I am admittedly in the process of ~developing~ my route-finding skills if you will, so just for full discretion that is something I am probably most considering right now

[mtree]

You're ready to hike a 14er. Like another 21 feet matters?! Hike Ouray, La Plata, or Shavano, etc. You should be good to go.

[Veory]

Sherman is ... very underrated.

Never once have I heard this take

[mtree]

Sherman is ... very underrated.

Never once have I heard this take

I actually agree. Mt. Sherman is a cool area... if you're into mining stuff. The views from the ridge and hike to the summit is as good or better than some. The access to other 13ers around it is exceptional. Gemini, Dyer, Sheridan and more are all pleasant with virtually no other trekkers. And its not nearly as crowded as the usual front range hotspots. Sure, it lacks the lower wilderness experience, but it has its own quirky charms.

[Jim Davies]

I haven't done the west ridge route, although Ouray is one of my favorites and I've summitted 6 or 7 times by other routes. My understanding is that it's kind of a rocky route, not a trail. The popular easy 14ers tend to have better trails, if that's an issue. Shavano is nearby and while it's a bit longer, has a trail most of the way. You'll also be kind of isolated on Ouray; whether that's a plus or a minus kind of depends on your confidence level and personality.

[daway8]

Building on Jim's response: if you want this outing to have a little bit more of a feeling of an adventure then stick with Ouray for that off-trail, isolated kind of feel.

But if you'd rather have this outing be a minimal risk confidence builder then go with an easy 14er like Quandary.