14ers Archives - Gaia GPS

If you’ve ever dreamed of conquering one of Colorado’s majestic 14,000-foot peaks, popularly known as 14ers, you know it’s an adventure unlike any other. The rewards are huge, but so are the challenges. From unpredictable weather to tricky navigation, success hinges on sufficient preparation. Whether you’re tackling your first summit or adding another to your list, start by making a solid plan for your trip. With Gaia GPS as your trail companion, you’ll have powerful tools like offline maps, route planning, and real-time tracking to help you stay on course, keep safe, and hike with confidence. Here’s how to use Gaia GPS to prepare, navigate, and conquer your 14er adventure.

Choose Your 14er

Start by choosing which 14er you want to climb. Use the Gaia GPS search feature to quickly locate specific peaks, and explore the area using the new Gaia Hike map to browse nearby trails and terrain. You can also view the map below and export a GPX file of all 58 Colorado 14ers to import into your account for easy reference. Simply click “View This,” then select “Export” → “GPX.” Once downloaded, import the GPX file into your Gaia GPS account to access all 58 Colorado 14ers anytime. If you’re just getting started with 14ers, popular beginner-friendly options include Mount Bierstadt and Quandary Peak. Both offer well-marked trails and rewarding summit views.

Plan Your Route

After picking your 14er, pinpoint your trailhead and plan your route with Gaia GPS on the web. Take time to map out your hike, and consider including key waypoints or alternate routes. Then, sync your route to the mobile app so it’s ready when you’re on your adventure. Having your route planned out before you head on your adventure ensures that you’re prepared and can focus on the climb ahead when you hit the trail.

Download Offline Maps

Once your route is planned, don’t forget to download your maps for offline use with Gaia GPS Premium. Cell service is often unreliable or completely unavailable in the backcountry, so having offline access is essential. Downloading maps ahead of time ensures you can navigate confidently, view your location, and stay on route even without a signal.

Track Your Progress

On hike day, use Gaia GPS to record your tracks and monitor your progress along your planned route in real time. This feature helps you stay on course by showing your exact location on the map and provides you with valuable information, such as the distance remaining to the summit. Recording your tracks adds an extra layer of safety and confidence, especially on challenging or unfamiliar terrain.

Mark Waypoints as You Go

As you make your way up the 14er, consider dropping Waypoints to mark spots you want to remember. Whether it’s a stunning viewpoint, a unique landmark, or a section of trail you want to revisit, using Waypoints lets you capture those meaningful moments and locations for future hikes. They’re a simple but powerful tool to personalize your adventure.

Pro tips:

Drop a waypoint where you parked before you start your journey. Your future self will thank you after the hike!
After your hike, bring your map to life with the new custom Photo Waypoint feature. Add photos you captured along the way to your saved waypoints on the web, turning your route into a visual story of your experience. It’s a fun way to relive the adventure!

Bonus Tip: Use Weather Overlays

Gaia GPS offers weather map overlays that are great tools for planning and staying safe on your climb. Before your hike, use the weather overlays, such as the Precip Forecast (24-Hour) overlay, to check forecasted precipitation for the next 24 hours.

Note: The Precipitation Forecast maps update every 12 hours with the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Prediction Center (WPC). Because refreshing the maps requires an internet connection, they cannot be downloaded for offline use. However, when you view a forecast map while online, the data is temporarily cached, allowing you to access it in the app for up to 24 hours without a connection.

Safety Reminder: Preparation Is More Than Just Having the Right Maps

While Gaia GPS provides powerful tools for navigation, preparing to hike a 14er is about more than just having the maps available on your phone. High-altitude hiking demands thoughtful planning, so be sure to bring plenty of water, nutritious snacks, and layers of clothing to handle sudden weather changes. Make sure someone knows your plans before you head out, and be ready to adjust or turn back if conditions become unsafe. Combining solid physical preparation, good gear, and navigation with Gaia GPS will help you stay safe and make the most of your 14er adventure.

Your 14er Adventure Starts Now

With the right tools and preparation, hiking a 14er becomes not just a rewarding challenge but an unforgettable experience. Gaia GPS gives you everything you need to plan your route, stay safe, and enjoy the journey from trailhead to summit. So pick your peak, plan your path, and get ready to take on the mountain with confidence.

Wishing you clear skies and breathtaking views—don’t forget to tag @gaiagps in your adventures and share your journey with us!

Happy hiking!

About the Colorado 14ers

Colorado is home to 58 peaks above 14,000 feet in elevation. That includes 14,433-foot Mount Elbert, the second highest summit in the contiguous United States. The routes up these mountains range from non-technical hikes to serious scrambles. The Knife Edge on Capitol Peak and the infamous Keyhole Route on Longs Peak are both good examples of the latter.

For many Colorado locals, as well as avid mountaineers across the U.S., summiting every 14er is a life goal. However, there is some debate about which 14ers should make the “official list.” After all, some peaks are connected by shallow saddles that make it difficult to determine where one summit ends and the other begins.

Currently, many climbers characterize a Colorado 14er as a peak above 14,000 feet with at least 300 feet of topographic prominence. In other words, it has to rise at least 300 feet above surrounding peaks to count. For that reason, you’ll hear many refer to the “53 Colorado 14ers” rather than 58. Just to be safe, the NatGeo Colorado 14ers map includes all 58.

14,259-foot Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

About NatGeo Maps in Gaia GPS About NatGeo Maps in Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS has long partnered with National Geographic to provide users with the expertly designed, high-quality cartography NatGeo is known for. The NatGeo Colorado 14ers layer is the most recent addition to the Gaia GPS map catalog, which already includes NatGeo maps of the John Muir Trail, the Colorado Trail, and dozens of America’s most popular recreation destinations.

How to use the Colorado 14ers map layer

Like all National Geographic maps, the Colorado 14ers layer is available to users with a Premium Membership.

You can access it by opening the United States category of the map manager. Then, tap the plus sign next to the layer to add it to your map screen.

Routes to the top of Longs Peak, as depicted on the NatGeo Colorado 14ers map.

Tips for Climbing Colorado 14ers

Hiking and climbing at high altitudes can be dangerous, and hikers get lost or seriously injured on Colorado 14ers every year. Here are some tips for packing the right kit, nabbing the summit, and getting home safe.

Build up your experience level. Start with non-technical peaks, and honestly evaluate your expertise and emergency preparedness before embarking on a climb.

Wait for the snow to melt. The safest time to summit a 14,000-foot peak is between mid-July and late September, when the spring snow has melted out and before fall snowstorms begin.

Bring a buddy. A partner can help keep you accountable to your pre-determined turnaround time, help you make risk-management decisions, and seek help if you get sick or injured on the trail.

Download maps before you head out. The sheer elevation of 14ers means most of them have service on the summit. However, the rest of the trail is often without cell reception. Always make sure you have the map you need downloaded in Gaia GPS before you leave, so you can access it no matter where you are.

Start early. Aim to be back below treeline by noon; afternoon lightning storms are common in the Rocky Mountains, and often occur even when the forecast doesn’t call for them. Pulling off a successful summit often means beginning your hike well before dawn, a quintessential part of the experience known as the “alpine start.”

Prepare for unpredictable weather. Temperatures can drop fast in the mountains. Look at a forecast that shows predicted weather at the top of a peak as well as at the base (we recommend mountain-forecast.com). Pack for the lows, not the highs. Always bring more food and water than you think you need, as well as a hat, gloves, a good insulating layer, and a rain shell.

Pack safety equipment. Always bring a headlamp, sun protection, sun glasses, a first aid kit, and any other protection you might need from the elements should something go wrong. It’s smart to bring a satellite communication device, such as a SPOT device, as well.

Beware of summit fever. No peak is worth putting yourself in danger. Turn back immediately if you see rain clouds moving in, or if you begin to experience any signs of acute mountain sickness (AMS).