Destination: Mt. Sherman – 14er
About: Located just outside Fairplay Colorado this easy 14er is perfect for your first one
Route: i-285 South West to Fairplay then right on 4 Mile Creek Road
Distance: 240 Miles
Time: 2 hours
Trip Length: Overnight
Season: Summer to Fall
Sleeping: Camping
Bagging another 14er has been on my bucket list for a while. My first one was Quandary Peak back in 2012 and it was HARD. So this time around I wanted something a little easier…
Hiking 14er Mt. Sherman
Hiking Mt. Sherman is relatively easy. At only about 5 miles round trip and a gradual 2,100-foot elevation change, this is a great first 14er. Honestly, my legs didn’t burn at all! But my lungs did need some time to get used to the altitude.
We chose to do an early Sunday Sunrise hike and I am so happy we did, the views were stunning. You are hiking above the treeline the entire time so it was pretty cold and windy. I really wish I had remembered to pack gloves and a buff! Check out my list of must-have hiking gear here.
Where to Camping to Hike Mt. Sherman
I highly suggest camping nearby the night before as it’s always best to hit the trail early and be coming down the mountain by noon. The weather in Colorado is unpredictable and even more unpredictable at higher altitudes. Mt Sherman is a good 30-minute drive outside Fairplay so best to camp near the trailhead on Four Mile Creek Road. There are two designated campgrounds and a few dispersed sites along Four Mile Creek road but the area does fill up on the weekends, so get there early or reserve a campsite in advance.
You can find Mt. Sherman trailhead details here. We read mixed things about where exactly to park, we continued past the first parking lot all the way until we couldn’t go anymore and parked near the mine ruins. Parking all the way at the Mine ruins does shorten the hike from 8 to 5 miles.
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Check out my hiking must-haves here
