Quandary Peak: Colorado’s Steepest “Beginner” 14er
- Stephen Warner
- Sep 23, 2025
- 4 min read
Ask anyone for a list of "entry-level" 14ers, and Quandary Peak near Breckenridge is almost guaranteed to show up. But don’t let the “beginner” label fool you. While this may be one of the more accessible 14ers in Colorado, it's still a serious climb.
With a steep grade and a relentless uphill push, Quandary will test your legs and lungs. But reach that summit and you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Breckenridge, McCullough Gulch, and the surrounding Tenmile Range.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Quandary Peak East Ridge |
Distance | 6.8 miles / 10.9 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | 4-7 hours |
Elevation gain | 3,500 ft / 1,067 m |
Highest point | 14,272 ft / 4,350 m (Quandary Peak) |
Permits / fees | Trailhead parking reservation: $30 (Mon-Thu) / $55 (Fri-Sun + holidays) Shuttle fare: $7 round trip |
Parking | Trailhead dirt lot (reservation required) Breckenridge South Gondola Lot (for shuttle) |
Toilets? | Yes |
Dog friendly? | Yes (permitted on shuttle) |
Know before you go
From June 14th to September 14th, a reservation is required to hike Quandary. You have two options (and purchases can be made here):
Park at the trailhead — $30 (Mon-Thu) / $55 (Fri-Sun + holidays)
Take the shuttle from Breckenridge — $7 round-trip
This is the steepest Class 1 14er in Colorado, with an average grade of 19.3% (even steeper than even Mount Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak)
Expect high altitude conditions, wildlife sightings (especially goats), and a lot of company as this is one of Colorado’s most popular peaks.
Other trails nearby
Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km) out and back
Elevation gain: 1,600 ft (490 m) gain
Details: Leaves from the same trailhead and offers waterfalls and alpine lake views.
Alternate approaches
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) out and back
Elevation gain: 2,650 ft (808 m) gain
Details: No reservation required, but a significantly harder hike. This route includes Class 3 scrambling and is recommended for experienced hikers only.
The Trail
Whether you arrive via shuttle or trailhead parking, your hike starts with a brief walk along McCullough Gulch Road...
...before reaching the signed junction for the Quandary Peak Trail.
And from there — it’s climb time!
The first stretch offers a bit of relief via switchbacks through a partially shaded forest.
Before long, you’ll break treeline, and that’s when the views really start to open up. On our hike, we had clouds drifting below us, which made it all the more striking. It was a clear reminder of just how high we’d already climbed.
Not long after, you’ll come into view of one of the area’s most recognizable features: the Upper and Lower Blue Reservoir. Tucked into the valley far below, these lakes offer a great visual reference point and make for a lovely backdrop as you continue your ascent.
Above treeline, the trail steepens noticeably. The terrain becomes more rugged, and the effort shifts from a simple hike to a true alpine ascent.
One thing that surprised me? The mountain goats. I saw several groups right on the trail. I don’t blame them for hogging the path — those views are hard to beat. Still, I did my best to keep my distance. Those horns look a little sharp.
Around 13,000 feet, the trail felt like it kicked up another notch. Slightly steeper, slightly rockier, and just enough to test the legs even more. At this point, it’s all about grit and pacing.
You’ll get a false sense of relief once you gain the summit ridge. but don’t be fooled. The actual summit is still a short trek away.
And then… the top! Quandary Peak: 14,272 feet.
It was windy and cold on my early September summit, so I didn’t linger long. Just long enough to snag some summit shots and soak in the views of McCullough Gulch and the surrounding Tenmile Range.
And of course, a selfie to mark the occasion — 14er #10 in the books. Double digits achieved. Time to jet down the mountain and grab a well-earned cup of coffee.
SS Reflections
My climb up Quandary came just after I finished the Colorado Trail, so needless to say, I was feeling pretty dialed in. In fact, a few hikers on the trail even commented on how quickly I was moving (and I’ll admit, that did stroke the ego a bit).
After a month of carrying a pack and hiking day after day at elevations between 11,000 and 13,000 feet, Quandary felt like a well-earned “easier” day — at least physically.
But what made this one special was more than just the relative ease. Quandary marked my 10th 14er, a small but meaningful milestone. Sure, that’s only 17% of the way to the full list of 58 (a number I still wasn’t sure I was aiming for at the time), but hitting double digits felt like progress, like momentum. It was the kind of summit that made me think, maybe I can actually do all 58.
Other helpful resources
14ers.coms route description of East Ridge