Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences

In 2015, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative released a statewide Fourteeners Report Card noting that more than $24 million in baseline investments are needed to create sustainable routes to the summits of all of Colorado’s Fourteeners. Through the Find Your Fourteener campaign, the NFF and its partners are tackling these projects in a tiered and strategic effort.

Collaboration is necessary to improve the future for Fourteeners. The NFF is proud to partner with dedicated outdoor stewardship groups in Colorado to implement this important campaign.

The Find Your Fourteener campaign is a long-term effort to ensure that these enduring peaks remain healthy, accessible and inviting for decades to come.

Find Your Fourteener Priority Peaks & Projects

Mt. Elbert – Black Cloud Trail

2022 begins the first year of work on the Black Cloud Trail of Mt. Elbert through Find Your Fourteener. The Black Cloud Trail approaches Mt. Elbert from the south and is the steeper and longer approach to Mt. Elbert. Priority work for the Black Cloud trail includes maintenance on much of the trail and a trail reroute near the summit that will provide a more sustainable trail more resistant to erosion. Once closed, the old trail will be restored to natural habitat.

With the Leadville District of the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Wildland Restoration Volunteers, Colorado Mountain Club, Get Outdoors Leadville and Lake County.

Mt. Elbert – North Mt. Elbert Trail

Work on the North Mt. Elbert Trail in 2022 will focus on a trail reroute near the summit of Mt. Elbert. Other work includes ongoing maintenance on the rest of the trail, such as building timber and rock staircases, water bars, and retaining walls. The North Mt. Elbert Trail is the most popular route for Mt. Elbert. In just 2020, an estimated 20,000 – 25,000 people hiked Mt. Elbert (Colorado 14ers Initiative, 2021), and since the North Mt. Elbert trail is the most popular route, it saw a large percentage of that use.

With the Leadville District of the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Wildland Restoration Volunteers, Colorado Mountain Club, Get Outdoors Leadville and Lake County.

Sangre de Cristo Range – Broken Hand Pass Trail

The Broken Hand Pass Trail is the final approach to the Crestones from South Colony Lake. This area is known for its incredible beauty and technical 14ers – The Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak are two of the hardest 14ers in Colorado. The Broken Hand Pass trail is steep, and work in 2022 will prioritize measures that maintain trail sustainability and resistance to erosion, such as crib steps, barrier walls, retaining walls, and trail delineation.

With the San Carlos District of the Pike & San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Rocky Mountain Field Institute and Colorado Mountain Club.

Pikes Peak – Devil’s Playground

2022 marks the fourth year of work on the Devil’s Playground trail re-route to Pikes Peak. Devil’s Playground is the northwest approach to Pikes Peak, and the shorter approach option. The existing Devil’s Playground trail is badly eroded and travels on steep terrain that is susceptible to continued erosion and excess wear. The new Devil’s Playground trail will be more sustainable and a better hiking experience and will lessen erosion and damage to the ecosystem.

With the Pikes Peak District of the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Colorado Mountain Club, Mile High Youth Corps, and Friends of the Peak.

Pikes Peak – Barr Trail

The Barr Trail is the main route to Pikes Peak and starts in Manitou Springs. This 12.5 mi point-to-point trail is often hiked one-way, with hikers taking a ride service back down the mountain. In 2022, the Barr Trail will get much-needed maintenance along the first portion of the trail. Work will include check dams, log steps, crib steps, and timber waterbars that will help reduce erosion of the trail and increase the durability of this beloved trail.

With the Pikes Peak District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Colorado Mountain Club, Mile High Youth Corps, and Friends of the Peak.

Grays & Torreys Peaks

Maintenance work continues on Grays & Torreys in 2022, focusing on the upper portion of the trail. Crews will work to install gabion backwalls, barrier walls, and crib steps, all of which will contribute to trail sustainability and resistance to erosion. Other routine maintenance will continue on the lower portions of the trail, including cleaning of drains to help with water flow around the trail. Grays & Torreys are among the most popular 14ers, and an estimated 30,000 – 35,000 people hiked the peaks in 2020.

With the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Wildland Restoration Volunteers and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado.

Mt. Shavano

Work on Mt. Shavano will be split into two sections in 2022 – an upper trail reroute and a lower trail reroute. The existing trail travels in steep, erosion-prone areas in sensitive habitat that can’t sustain the level of use it gets. By rerouting the two sections, the trail will avoid extra-sensitive habitat, reduce erosion and increase durability. Mt. Shavano lies just

south of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range and is the prominent view from the town of Salida.

With the Salida District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, and Southwest Conservation Corps/Conservation Legacy.

Mt. Wilson

Mt. Wilson work in 2022 will also happen in two sections – the Upper Navajo Basin trail realignment and the Mt. Wilson approach. The Upper Navajo Basin trail realignment will move the trail away from sensitive wetland habitat and onto more stable ground. The upper Mt. Wilson approach will be aligned and delineated to provide for an easier route-finding experience and help to stabilize erosion on the trail.

With the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, and Ancestral Lands/Conservation Legacy.