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What You Need to Know to Hike Colorado’s Highest Peaks

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

Experienced hikers regularly rely on trails to quench their thirst for the sensation that only true isolation in nature can provide. The rush of pushing one’s body to its physical and mental limits, and then further, is what keeps hikers, mountaineers, and climbers on the rocks. Most mountain sports offer something for all skill levels, and in a quintessential public landscape like Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, anyone can find appreciation for the elements and their place within them. Those familiar with The Centennial State know its magnum opus is the 53 peaks climbing above 14,000 feet, also known as “Fourteeners.” Home to the most fourteeners in any U.S. state, Colorado’s summit hikes range from walk-ups to strenuous technical climbs, and while some are considered “easy” compared to others, most require hitting the trail before sunrise with headlamps and a strong will in hand. For those of average fitness, hikes can take anywhere from 6 to 15 or more hours. Reaching the summit is rewarded with striking views in the company of like-minded, motivated peers, their heads literally in the clouds.

estes cone colorado
Estes Cone, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

For first time fourteener hikers, most experts suggest mid-summer walk-ups like Mount Bierstadt, Lincoln, Democrat, and Grays peak. If you’re feeling strong, bagging more than one peak in a day, using interconnecting craggy saddles, is a great way to check some of these bucket listers off in a short period of time. Altitude environments are a wildlife photographer’s fantasy – rare mountain species such as marmots, pikas, and quails are quite common. The tundra up high is precious and fragile, so staying on trail and minimizing footprints is crucial. When planning your first fourteener, there are a number of safety and fitness goals to reach first.

Here are some invaluable tips and resources to get you rock-ready with a healthy respect for high altitude hikes and the otherworldly atmosphere it fosters.

hiker woman mountain peak

What to bring

For summer hiking plans, the gear list is substantially shorter than autumn and winter excursions, so always keep in mind the season and weather. Primary gear includes a reliable hiking daypack, several liters of water (more than you think you’ll need), high protein and fatty foods, such as energy bars, chews, and salty snacks for replenishment. I’d suggest brands such as Gu and Powerbar. Jerky, trail mix, and avocados also taste sensational at the summit. Other staples are warm weather clothes for the blistery summit, as temperatures will drop drastically above treeline around 11,000 feet. A synthetic shirt, waterproof jacket, hiking pants, boots, socks, and ponchos are also necessary to keep dry and warm on all day outings, as afternoon thunderstorms happen often. Other non-negotiable gear includes a headlamp, multi-tool, map, whistle, lighter, sunscreen, toilet paper, small shovel, first aid kit, and trekking poles. Those living at low altitudes or who haven’t acclimatized should consider taking a small can of supplemental oxygen to protect against altitude sickness.

bear peak colorado
Little Bear Peak, Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Safety

Altitude does strange and unpredictable things to the weather, and checking multiple forecasts, including the weather channel’s summit predictions, can help you avoid a disorienting white out above treeline. Just this year,  nearly a dozen people have died on Colorado’s peaks, and many more have been injured as a result of poor timing, inexperience, and/or freak accidents. Knowing what you’re in for, and never biting off more than you can chew is key to a successful and safe hike. Test your gear beforehand, hit the gym religiously to make sure your cardio and upper body strength is in “peak” shape, and watch the sky as you ascend. Dark, anvil-shaped clouds should mean an immediate turnaround. Lightning risk increases drastically on mountain hikes. Starting early, sometimes even 1 a.m., and camping at or near the trailhead will guarantee you’re down before thunderstorms usually arrive. The Rockies are bear country, and knowing what to do in the event of a bear encounter can save your life.

chasm lake colorado
Chasm Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Learn the jargon

When reading trail specs, understanding the terminology can assist in deciding whether or not a hike is right for your skill and athletic level. A hike’s class signals its difficulty and technicality. For beginners, Class 1 means a clearly marked trail and little-to-no scrambling, or using your hands and feet to climb up or over rough or steep ground. Anything higher than a Class 2 may require special climbing gear. Talus and scree indicates small, loose rock that is difficult to navigate. Elevation gain is the sum of all the uphill segments along the trail, or how much you’ll rise in total. Treeline is where vegetation and trees stop growing, usually between 11,000 and 12,000 feet in Colorado.

dream lake and hallett peak colorado
Dream Lake and Hallett Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Colorado hikes to try first

Easing yourself into fourteeners is the best way to prevent burnout and ensure you can finish your first few attempts. Many strenuous hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park can assist with this, but any long hike with a lot of vertical gain will do. Options include Chasm Lake, Hallett Peak, Estes Cone, Bear Peak and dozens of 13ers.

Sunrise Trekking at Mount Batur, Bali

If you’re in Bali and feeling adventurous, seeing Mount Batur is a definite must do. Mount Batur is an active volcano and you can trek to the summit to catch a beautiful sunrise.

Most hotels will offer a Mount Batur trekking tour and will arrange your whole day for around 300,000 IDR, or about 25 USD. This will include a mini van to and from the volcano, a guide and breakfast at the summit. You can also find tours that will take you to a coffee plantation, waterfall and rice paddies after the trek. They’re all beautiful spots worth seeing but keep in mind, you’ll probably be exhausted after the hike.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the middle of the night; times vary depending on how far from the volcano you’re staying, but plan for a pick up between 1 and 2 AM. Definitely try to get some sleep before hand.

The trek itself takes about two hours to get to the top. It’s a moderately difficult hike, but if you’re in decent shape it should be no problem. You’ll be climbing in the dark so it’s a good idea to bring a headlamp if you have one, otherwise your guide will provide flashlights.

mount batur bali
Bali, sunrise at Mount Batur, from -__-; on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The trail starts at a low incline and gets increasingly steeper and more difficult as you near the top. It will take around two hours to reach the summit, with lots of rock climbing and views of the dimly lit town beneath. The last 30 minutes of the hike are spent climbing up slippery sand on a steep incline so be prepared to get lots of sand in your shoes!

Once you reach the top, you can find a spot to sit and watch the sunrise. Your guide will offer tea and coffee and breakfast and you can relish in a very welcome break. You’ll be hot and sweaty during the hike, but it’s a good idea to take a jacket and scarf with you, as it gets pretty cold at the top.

mt batur bali
Sunrise at Mt. Batur | Photo: Alexa Albanese

Then, if you’re lucky, you’ll see one of the most beautiful sunrises of your life. Don’t forget your camera! Be on the lookout as there are also some monkeys that hang out at the top.

mt batur bali
Sunrise view from the top of Mt. Batur | Photo: Alexa Albanese

After sunrise and breakfast, you’ll start to make your way back down. You can either go back down the same way you came up, or you can ask your guide to take you around the ridge of the volcano and down the other side of the mountain. This is recommended for some seriously stunning views!

breakfast at mount batur
After climbing up to the top of Mount Batur. Cooking eggs in the volcano steam was our reward, from Isabel Sommerfeld on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

If you take the alternate route down, be warned that the hike down is almost (if not more) challenging than the hike up. It’s steep, slippery and flanked by cliffs on either sides. If you’re afraid of heights, it will definitely be a challenge, but the views are so, so worth it.

mt batur bali
View from the alternate route down | Photo: Alexa Albanese

On the way down, you’ll encounter hot steam from the inside of the volcano where you can cook some eggs and enjoy a second breakfast. This is a fun experience and a great way to get some protein in on a long, sweaty hike.

By the time you reach the bottom, it will probably be around 9am and you can then decide whether you have the energy to continue to the waterfall, rice paddies and the coffee plantation. If you do, be warned that there are 300 steps you need to climb to reach the waterfall!

If you’re after a rush of adrenaline, an amazing sense of accomplishment and some stunning views, the sunrise trek up Mount Batur is bound to be one of the best things you do in Bali. Although a challenging hike, it’s fine for kids and grandparents as well. Enjoy the adventure!