Huron Peak, Colorado

Huron Peak (center)as seen from slopes of Mt. Hope ( May 2011) Elevation: 14012 ft / 4271 m Huron Peak, with an elevation of 14,003 feet, is Colorado's 52nd highest peak. It's considered one of the easiest Fourteeners in the Sawatch Range to climb, partly because the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a good trail which leads to the summit (and a good trail is a definite plus with this peak, since it's further from a paved road than any other Fourteener in the range). A climb from the South Winfield trailhead (the shortest route at eight miles roundtrip) involves a two-mile walk (if you don't have 4WD), followed by some minor scrambling for two more miles after passing the Forest Service closure gate at 10,600 feet (the class 2 route begins to the left of the gate). To reach the trailhead from Leadville, head south on Highway 24 for 19.3 miles, then take County Road 390 west at the Clear Creek Reservoir all the way to the town of Winfield before heading south for three-tenths of a mile across the river to the trailhead. From the gate, follow several upward switchbacks until you break the treeline and reach a basin with views of Ice Mountain and the Three Apostles on the right and Huron Peak directly in front of you. Take the trail southeast, up the broad, green, and gently sloping ridge to the summit.