The San Juan Range of southwest Colorado houses many peaks above 14,000 feet. All are rugged and remote, located far from major cities. Therefore they take some work to reach, but San Juan 14ers are some of the finest in the state!
LessAt 14,314 feet above sea level, Uncompahgre Peak is the tallest in the San Juans. Despite that, it’s actually one of the easier climbs in the region. While the hike is relatively non-technical, at 14 miles round-trip with over 4,500 feet of elevation gain, Uncompahgre is still a very strenuous endeavor. Expect a long day out in the mountains!
Wetterhorn Peak is a towering pyramid-shaped 14er in the San Juans, but named for the Swiss peak in the Bernese Alps that it resembles. Reaching the summit requires a technical ascent, but thankfully the rock is mostly good-quality and the exposure isn’t too bad. This peak is neighbors with Uncompahgre, and the two can be linked in one big hike from Matterhorn Creek.
You could check off two San Juan 14ers in a day with the technical combination of El Diente Peak and Mount Wilson, located near the town of Dunton. This route is one of the few class 4-rated 14er hikes in Colorado. If you attempt it, you should be prepared for high-consequence technical mountaineering. On top of such hazards, comboing the two peaks makes for a big day in the mountains: over 12 miles and 4,700 feet of elevation gain!
A group of four 14ers lie deep in the Needle Mountains east of Durango. These are some of Colorado’s toughest––due not only to their remoteness but also to the difficult moves and dangerous conditions near the summit. They are: Sunlight, Windom, Mount Eolus, and North Eolus peaks. Experienced peakbaggers can backpack into Chicago Basin and combo all four within a few days. Adding to the allure, the best way to start the journey is by train! The nearest trailhead is in fact a stop along the Duran
On every can of Coors beer is the image of a mountain, which happens to be the real-life Wilson Peak! This 14er sports an impressive visual profile, making it the perfect mascot for the original Colorado beer. To reach the summit for yourself, you must take a long hike along a 4WD road then a trail through an alpine basin, and finally scrambling up and down a ridgeline above vertical cliffs. Ensure that you're up for the task before attempting this difficult climb!