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Went up to Sherman on Saturday with the GF and a couple of guys from work. This was my second 14er of the week and the first of the season for the others. Everyone in the group has done as least one but all of our lists are still very short. We left Littleton (Bowles-470) at 6am and hit the trail a little after 8:00. The TH is very easy to find but be prepared for a rough final 10-11 miles. I've read the TH updates saying it's not too bad but don't expect a comfortable ride. We had a 4WD SUV and never went above 30mph. We could have made it to the gate but it was already getting crowded, so we just parked at the pull-off around 11,800 just below. I didn't see any cars (only higher clearance vehicles) up at the gate and can't imagine one making it but perhaps.
First look up from parking spot Sherman off right edge
Conditions started off great, car said is was 52 at 8am and you don't feel any of the wind down in the valley. The trail is easy to follow as it's an old mining road and still plenty wide enough for vehicles.
Look back down the valley up past a couple of the mining shafts
The first half of the hike is fairly uneventful, passing a small pond and the mining shafts. Once past the last mining structure and 2 very short switchbacks, you cross about 40 yards of snow (as of hike date), which takes you to the top of a ridge that you'll be following for the remainder of the hike.
After you get to the top of ridge line, you finally feel some of that spring wind.
This is rated as the easiest 14er and I have to be honest that the final ridge line climb up was a little tougher than I was expecting. The final mile has a few steep portions and different paths up that all go to the same place. This is over some scree but nothing too difficult. Rick and Saveuy heading through the scree
It does narrow as you go up and can make for some tight quarters because it's a popular hike that can and did get a little crowded. Lisa and Rick coming over one of the hilltops
At about 10:00, you could see some storms over the Sawatch out west heading our way. Once you crest the last hill on the ridge, a snow field currently stands between you and a short hike over to the summit. looking back at summit snow field
We hit the summit between 10:30 and 11:00 and didn't stay long due to incoming weather. Lisa, Saveuy, and Rick on summit with storm in background
The weather hit us about half way down with some snow pellets and thunder.
We made it down right at 12:00 before any lightning was seen thanks to some fast down climbing and a short glissade. Saveuy and Rick crashing during glissade
This is a good hike for anyone new to 14ers, it's close enough to Denver, very short in hiking distance, easy trails to follow, and not difficult.....in relative terms
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Sherman is rated the ”easiest 14er” on this site, but no 14er is easy! Also the 6-8 false summits can be a bit disheartening, at least in my experience with the mountain. Really awesome pic with the rainstorm behind you.
I agree with zdero1, fabulous summit picture!! I'm taking a small group up 6/9, and a couple of them are first timers. Hoping there's still some snow for glissading!
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