long shot- Colorado 14ers

[sergey]

Have you hiked any? We're debating between Lincoln or Elbert for this weekend and it'll be the first this year so I want to do the easier one. I know it's probably a super long shot but has anyone done both of those? Lincoln is shorter but steeper and Elbert is longer but less steep. H&F may be the right place to ask this but I just looked over there and according to the top few posts it's....not the place for me.

[kermit]

I've done Belford and Bierstadt. www.14ers.com is a great resource if you want to check conditions or get trip reports.

[sergey]

Jul 11, 2013 10:12:36 GMT -5 kermit said:

I've done Belford and Bierstadt. www.14ers.com is a great resource if you want to check conditions or get trip reports.

Bierstadt was my first 14er; we did it and Quandry last year (and Pike's but we drove it so....).  I think that's the website H has been sending me with the options. Lincoln is a class 2 vs Elbert's class 1 but I think I'm going to go for the shorter hike anyway. Thanks!

[tizzy]

I have done 5. The thing with Lincoln is that it is part of the Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross group(Decalibron as it's often called) and are usually all done together because they are connected and even as a group are on the easier side for 14ers. However, probably not the best idea to do the group as a first although I'm sure it's been done plenty of times and it doesn't make much sense to do one without the others.

[tizzy]

I also highly recommend 14ers.com

[smock]

How many miles and what elevation gain are we talking about for each? Personally, I'd prefer longer but less elevation gain. But I'm kind of a wimp about steep hikes.

[sergey]

Jul 11, 2013 10:26:27 GMT -5 tizzy said:

I have done 5. The thing with Lincoln is that it is part of the Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross group(Decalibron as it's often called) and are usually all done together because they are connected and even as a group are on the easier side for 14ers. However, probably not the best idea to do the group as a first although I'm sure it's been done plenty of times and it doesn't make much sense to do one without the others.

Oh, I didn't realize this. I knew there was a set of two we're planning on doing later this year but I didn't realize there was a foursome. Not the first for the year but this is on my to do list now.

[sergey]

Jul 11, 2013 10:29:06 GMT -5 smock said:

How many miles and what elevation gain are we talking about for each? Personally, I'd prefer longer but less elevation gain. But I'm kind of a wimp about steep hikes.

The two easier routes on Lincoln are both a 2600' gain in 5.5 or 6.5 miles roundtrip. Elbert is 4700' gain in 9 miles roundtrip. I'm comfortable in the 1000' per mile range. I may save Lincoln though per the comment above.

[fuckyourcouch]

i was going to say, lincoln is part of a set.
i've only done a couple so i don't have detailed advice.