RT Quandary Peak

Well-known alpine summit accessed by a heavily traveled trail featuring sweeping views, high-altitude terrain, and a steady ascent suitable for experienced hikers.

General Information

Length, Elevation Gain & Difficulty:

Length: ~6.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~3,300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Hours:

Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Best to start early morning to avoid afternoon storms

Fees:

Free to hike; parking may require reservation or fee during peak season

Pet Policy:

Dogs are allowed

Closest cities with hotels:

Breckenridge (10 mi)
Frisco (15 mi)
Blue River (5 mi)

Seasons:

Late spring through fall (summer is most popular; snow and ice outside peak season)

Location:

Quandary Peak Trailhead

Website:

fs.usda.gov

How to Get There

From Breckenridge (10 mi): Take CO-9 south from Breckenridge, turn right onto Blue Lakes Road, and follow it to the designated trailhead parking area.

Overview

Quandary Peak (14,265 feet) is the highest summit of the Tenmile Range and the most commonly climbed fourteener in Colorado, near Breckenridge, with a well-marked route. It is a good pick for a first fourteener, with mountain goats often seen. Winter climbs need avalanche skills.

Top Trail

Trail	Length	Elevation Gain	Highlights
East Ridge	About 6.75 miles round trip	About 3,450 feet	A class 1 to 2 ridge climb, with steep sections; a parking fee applies

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Quandary Peak", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

Featured Trail

Jeff P from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

North Mount Elbert Trail

★ 5.0

10.4 miles roundtrip, 4,468 feet elevation gain