Colorado mountains, want to camp above 14000 feet, good easy mountain?

[Mags]

Thanks for the info. Maybe now we will just try to summit a 14000 but not camp at the top. Having said that where is your favorite place to camp?

What time in October are you going? Early October and late October are two different beasts. Also, do you have any experience with colder and/or higher altitude hiking? Hiking in early October can be nice (or not). Late October? More than likely icy, windy and cold. Bierstadt is a walkup no matter what time of the year (still gotta be careful) and has easy access and easy camping all year around at the trailhead. Due to easy access AND hiking, it is considered a good beginner 14er.

Finally, 14ers ain't anything special. They are usually crowded.

A good place for shoulder season hiking is the Lost Creek Wilderness. It is my perennial favorite for early summer and late fall hikes.
Here's one idea:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.ph...ilderness-loop

Get the map and you'll see others, too.

[Marta]

Another thing to consider is that trying to sleep at elevation can be...interesting. Shortness of breath. Weird dreams. What elevation that starts at is different for different people. 12,000' is a number commonly bandied about.

[mudhead]

Plenty of pretty well below that even.

Even the foothills are worth messing around in, IMO.

[snowhoe]

Another thing to consider is that trying to sleep at elevation can be...interesting. Shortness of breath. Weird dreams. What elevation that starts at is different for different people. 12,000' is a number commonly bandied about.

Dont forget headaches. I was flyfishing last friday at Qunellia (dont know how to spell it) Pass and I got the biggest headache. I think it was because I didnt drink enough water. By the time I got to Idaho Springs it was gone.

[snowhoe]

What time in October are you going? Early October and late October are two different beasts. Also, do you have any experience with colder and/or higher altitude hiking? Hiking in early October can be nice (or not). Late October? More than likely icy, windy and cold. Bierstadt is a walkup no matter what time of the year (still gotta be careful) and has easy access and easy camping all year around at the trailhead. Due to easy access AND hiking, it is considered a good beginner 14er.

Finally, 14ers ain't anything special. They are usually crowded.

A good place for shoulder season hiking is the Lost Creek Wilderness. It is my perennial favorite for early summer and late fall hikes.
Here's one idea:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.ph...ilderness-loop

Get the map and you'll see others, too.

Lost creek is one of my favorite place too. How weird Mags! The San De Cristo's have got some nice places too. Maroon Belles is nice. Although I have never backpacked there I have done day hikes and in October with the leaves changing it is beautiful.