Quandary Peak - What To Expect

If you're planning a hike up Quandary Peak in Breckenridge, Colorado, here's a detailed look at the trail so you know what to expect. We left the Denver area in the warm August weather, but halfway up the mountain we were in a windy snow storm! All mountain excursions require planning and adequate gear. Get prepared with my help and have fun getting out there!

[coalcreeker]

You have to win the mental battle to climb high mountains. Quandary was my first 14er. One lady in our group was a cancer survivor from Wisconsin. A lowlander. Another was a phys ed teacher from Parker Colorado. Very fit. Wisconsin lady had no trouble other than she had way too much in her pack after listening to the “experts” about what to take. We split her pack up between several of us. Phys Ed lady lost the mental battle. I came across her lying on her back with her arm across her eyes. She said she “looked up”. I told her to walk to that rock. She did. Walk to that rock. She did. Over and over. Finally she said she was done. I told her I could see people eating lunch 300 yards away on the Summit. She popped up. “300 yards?” I can do that!!!” She did. You never know who does or doesn’t have the mental fortitude to climb the high mountains

[theshellest]

This was so helpful. I am planning to go in April and didnt realize i will DEFINITELY get snowed on walking up the mountain and need to plan accordingly. I was prepared to walk on it, not get showered with it.

I was in colorado last july and although i pride myself on being prepared for everything, i had NO idea about the mid day thunder storms. I got rained on quite a few times.

[cavazosa]

Hi Great video. I enjoyed it. Congratulations on making it to the summit in those conditions. I had a question for you, you mentioned several times in your video about having the right gear. Would you tell us what layering system you had on that day? What was your base layer, mid layer, and outer shell? Thank you. Keep Making videos and look forward to seeing more.

[nmjazz]

We parked there the other day and did not need a parking reservation. Do you know if they are enforcing it?

[Jeremy-bhcm]

Can you suggest some beginner 12k or 13k summits in the San juan or rio grande in colordo?

[loveonelife]

Beautiful forest. My wife kids and I went into the trail about a mile. And it was beautiful. The forest is so dense. It is a way cooler temperature than outside the forest.

[connerg]

Hiked that yesterday in early September, luckily we had beautiful weather.

[beverlyfrisbie]

Hello I actually found you because we are considering a trip on the Inca Trail and I saw your videos. After I watched yours, I actually became a little less secure about my fitness level and the difficulty of the trail. Ironically, I was trying to compare to my experience on Quandary when I saw you had a video about this hike too! So my question is: how does (Day 2 especially) of Inca Trail compare to something like Quandary (which I found HARD, more difficult than i had thought.)

[kerrylwash]

My 1st video that I watched of yours was "driving in Ireland" posted 2 years ago.

[BSDos]

I think there’s a misconception with ‘easy’ 14ers and which includes Quandary Peak. I found Quandary very, very hard work especially the final 1K of gain, which I’d liken to climbing 100+ flights of stairs. The trail is very rocky and solid footwear and poles are recommended. I slipped twice on the descent on loose gravel and twisted my ankle a number of times and wish I’d worn boots instead of my trail runners.

I summited Bierstadt the week before which is listed as a class 2, but was considerably easier than Quandary. Point is, class should in no way be seen as an indicator of effort.

Quandary had me blowing hard through most of the ascent and put me on my ass a couple of times!

[JustinMNYC]

Similar to my summit trip! In August, cold, windy, snow, and later sleet and rain. Had some very clear windows too. Check my channel for video!

[noway]

The trail looks amazing and would love to try that one day! Thanks for your video! What jackets and pants are those? I’ve been a fan of yours since Mt. Fuji video, which was also a greatly educational.

[kerrylwash]

I was trying to find an email to ask you a question but the only thing I found was this latest video. My question is what cities did you stay in Ireland. My wife and I are going there for Christmas and new years for 13 days and was wanting to know a recommendation of what to see in more importantly what not to waste our time on.

[discoverfloridatoday]

My second peak when I lived there. I remember the rocks near the top and lack of a real trail through that area. Good job, great mountain.

[ajeuscher]

Great video, hoping to bag Quandary this summer.

"shameless shill incoming"

If you wanna see what Elbert NE ridge looks like I have a vid of it on my channel

[danasmith]

My takes in Quandry . . .
1) my 1st 14er . . . spent the week in Colorado Springs visiting family. Ran every day and even did the Incline reasonably well. As everyone says, "there is no easy 14er". So yes, this "easy" climb kicked my butt.
2) the incline and decline with the loose rock - I have been on some loose rock fields out East, but nothing to match this. Even with an excellent maintained route, one has to watch foot placement. Unfortunately we met one person coming back down who had a severe fall before reaching the summit. This is not a walk in the park.
3) change in weather . . . anything above tree line . . . go early as possible.
4) lastly the locals (people who reside in Colorado) are some of the nicest individuals I have met. Full of encouragement and information.
Thank you for the video.