FIVE FOURTEENERS NEAR LAKE CITY IN HINSDALE COUNTY COLORADO
The most remote county in the lower forty eight with 96% public land and five of the fifty four 14,000 foot mountains in Colorado makes Lake City and Hinsdale County one of, if not the most, incredible places in the beautiful state of Colorado. Not to mention over 20 thirteeners and only about 800 people in the entire county. We have three National Forest, four National Wilderness Areas, and two wilderness study areas all open to hikers and untold miles of trails for horses and mountain bikers.
The five 14ers in our area are Handies at 14,048 feet, Sunshine at 14,001 feet, Redcloud at 14,034 feet, Wetterhorn at 14,015 feet and the most beautiful Uncompahgre at 14,309 feet. Handies is considered the easiest climb with Uncompahgre, Redcloud and Sunshine rated moderate and Wetterhorn ranked difficult. Redcloud and Sunshine are two of the most popular peaks because they can both be conquered in one day by most climbers. Most local prefer Uncompahgre. The view from the peak is astounding. My wife and her friends in their younger days would climb Uncompahgre on a moonlight night to watch the sunrise in the morning along with the incredible view from the peak. The ashes of many locals and others alike are spread near the top of this magnificent mountain.
The fourteeners create an incredible challenge for the mountaineers and serious hiker from walking up grassy slopes to serious technical rock climbing. Scaling the peaks has become so popular that the sheer number of people, over 500,000 in the entire state annually , has created a seriously damaging environment for the delicate alpine ecosystem especially on the northern slope of the Rockies.
The fourteeners should be considered a serious outing and if not careful can be dangerous. 
The high peaks are above timberline and can harbor bad storms at any time of the year. The summertime can be especially dangerous with heavy thunderstorms forming almost every afternoon with serious lighting. These storms can be easily avoided by planning your climbs to be off the peaks before the severe weather begins. To be on the safe side you should always plan ahead and carry safety equipment on your outing. Waterproof raingear, food, maps, a compass or GPS device, head lamp, matches, ice axe, and sun protection are all smart things to have along. Altitude sickness and dehydration are the most common ailments for the novice climbers and especially for those from lower altitudes. Both can be avoided usually by drinking plenty of water.
These high peaks provide an opportunity for hikers to connect with nature and to seek spiritual renewal along with very healthy exercise. Due to our remoteness you can often spend the day and see very few, if any, other hikers on your journey. Come join us.