Colorado

[TXtrailhunter]

My fianc

[accadacca]

Scott P is the guy to talk to in Colorado, but there are several others on Bogley too.

[TXtrailhunter]

@Scott P (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=213) is the guy to talk to in Colorado, but there are several others on Bogley too.
Thank you

[Scott P]

[QUOTE][COLOR=#000000]My fianc

[peakbaggers]

The only 14 in RMNP is Long's Peak which has nice scrambling on the Keyhole route and of course, the technical East Face. But there are many other 13ers & 12ers in the park with all kinds of technical opportunities. I agree with Scott in selecting the Crestones. There are other routes on either of the 14ers other than the standard routes (4th class) that can up the ante.
Another area to consider would be the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juans. The 14ers there are Windom, Sunlight & Eolus, usually accessed through Chicago basin - but there's high foot traffic volume there. To avoid the crowds, still get close and see some of the finest wilderness in Colorado, hike from Needleton up Ruby Creek and camp at the foot of Pigeon, Turrett, Animas, Peak 13 and Monitor. This is one of the best camping spots we have ever been to in 38 years of hiking in Colorado. From there, you can still access the 14ers through "Twin Thumbs" pass.(Talus) There are any number of excellent technical climbs from there on Monitor Peak - east face. Peak 15 has some lower technical on the SE side or invent any route you want on the 2,500 rock walls that will surround campsite. Warning: the backpack up Ruby is difficult. Trail is not a maintained trail, is difficult to follow and excessively steep.
Other choices in the same area would be 1. Noname Creek which would still grant access to Twin Thumbs pass but also Knife Point, Peak Ten and Jagged Mountain (accessed from Needleton drop off the train) or 2: Sunlight Creek drainage from the upper reaches of which you can still access the 14ers (but involves a lot of talus like Scott said & lower down, there's a section of avalanche debris from several years back that involves a lot of log hopping) and puts you at the foot of Jagged Mountain, one of our favorite climbs. To access this area, either hike in from the south by way of Vallecito Reservoir or come in from the north over Hunchback Pass. To get to the northern access will require 4WD to drive from Silverton over Stony Pass, ford the Rio Grande headwaters and drive up to Beartown & Kite Lake. At least on this route, you don't have to pay for the train. If you do use the Durango-Silverton train, boarding at Silverton can save you about $10/person, but they don't prorate the fare based on where you get off.
I think you may have tried to get ahold of us earlier this summer through Bogley PM - which just doesn't work for us at home so was unable to answer, so I'll monitor this post from work to see if you need anything else.

[TXtrailhunter]

Thanks for the great feedback