Colorado 14ers: Quandary Peak

Quandary Peak

Distance: 3.08 mi	Points: 348	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Ascending the spine

Location: 39.395241, -106.098839
Andrew Matranga shortens his trekking poles and picks his way through the crumbly path. ©Jesse Ryan

Blue Lakes

Location: 39.390202, -106.074989
This forested lake-and-creek basin on Quandary's south slope get shady relief during the early morning. ©Jesse Ryan

Cairn over the river

Location: 39.394520, -106.085938
A sentinel trail marker has a perfect view over the Middle Fork South Platte River, Hoosier Ridge, and Mount Silverheels--a local 13er worth bagging. ©Jesse Ryan

Cairns

Location: 39.395241, -106.097504
Andrew Matranga stomps through a scree field. Follow these large rock stacks to stay on course. ©Jesse Ryan

Cirque du Rocky

Location: 39.397346, -106.105522
The Rocky Mountains stretch from the northern and southern boundary. From the summit, peer over the long basins to the west of the Great Divide. ©Jesse Ryans

Endless ridge

Location: 39.394569, -106.093956
It just keeps going, and going, and going.... ©Jesse Ryan

False Summit

Location: 39.395187, -106.092056
Andy Parker picks his way over the first hump on the long ascent. ©Jesse Ryan

Final push

Location: 39.397552, -106.104752
Blocky scree and snow litter the final hundred yards. ©Jesse Ryan

From the top

Location: 39.397346, -106.105629
Andrew Matranga and Andy Parker soak in the full-circle panoramas on the summit. ©Jesse Ryan

Grass and rock

Location: 39.394981, -106.089172
View north while climbing past lush, green hills. ©Jesse Ryan

High Above Blue Lakes

Location: 39.395752, -106.101669
The view east over the Monte Cristo Creek drainage and anvil-shaped Blue Lake. ©Jesse Ryan

Layer time

Location: 39.393440, -106.084648
Heading to the thin air, hikers add a layer to combat swirling winds. ©Jesse Ryan

Loose slopes

Location: 39.394520, -106.088509
During the climb, traverse along a slim section where the views turn vertigo. ©Jesse Ryan

North over Summit County

Location: 39.391640, -106.078690
As you climb, savor sweeping vistas over the peaks and valleys of the Central Rockies. ©Jesse Ryan

North over the Tenmile Range

Location: 39.397141, -106.102745
The views nearing the summit are endless. ©Jesse Ryan

Rocky Slope

Location: 39.390560, -106.076736
©Jesse Ryan

Scree-laced ridge spine

Location: 39.395546, -106.100281
The view down Quandary's east slop, where hikers (just tiny specks) ascend into the high-alpine

Shadowy ridge and Quandary

Location: 39.389790, -106.067223
Hikers pause in the shade before the exposed, treeless section of the climb. ©Jesse Ryan

Sky Pilots

Location: 39.396576, -106.101822
Radiant, lavender wildflowers that thrive in high-altitude conditions. ©Jesse Ryan

Snowy Circques

Location: 39.397606, -106.106194
From the summit, you'll peer straight into the broad, snowy basin above McCullough Gulch. Pacific Peak hangs in the center of the frame. ©Andrew Matranga

Solitary path

Location: 39.395035, -106.098022
Andrew Matranga continues the slog up Quandary's east slope. ©Jesse Ryan

Starting out

Location: 39.386909, -106.062393
Andrew Matranga and Andy Parker begin the sustained ridgewalk up Quandary's east slope. ©Jesse Ryan

Steady ascent

Location: 39.391331, -106.070465
Andy Parker continues the climb. ©Jesse Ryan

Steep ridges

Location: 39.396217, -106.101616
The view south to the ridgeline of North Star Mountain. ©Jesse Ryan

Sunlit slopes

Location: 39.394726, -106.090721
Late morning sun kisses the peak and valleys outside of Breckenridge. ©Jesse Ryan

View across Monte Cristo Creek

Location: 39.392052, -106.081467
Glancing south over the drainage to North Star Mountain. ©Jesse Ryan

QPK001

Location: 39.384865, -106.061684
From the Monte Cristo trailhead, head N through thick conifer stands

QPK002

Location: 39.385315, -106.061852
Bear R @ sign, heading N

QPK003

Location: 39.387566, -106.062897
Keep R @ Y; trail curves to the NW

QPK004

Location: 39.388233, -106.064301
Pass a trail sign and continue moderate ascent to the NW

QPK005

Location: 39.391048, -106.067719
Trail winds briefly to the N, then curves W; look to the S for views over the Continental Divide

QPK006

Location: 39.390884, -106.073318
Cross short bridge where views open up along Quandary's long E ridge

QPK007

Location: 39.391884, -106.079964
Ascend ridge on dense scree-covered slopes

QPK008

Location: 39.392818, -106.082634
Trail juts to the N, then swings to the W

QPK009

Location: 39.394917, -106.090584
Reach small saddle and continue heading W toward the summit; bear down for steep grade ahead

QPK010

Location: 39.397034, -106.103569
Follow stacked cairns to the W through littered rock piles

QPK011

Location: 39.397282, -106.106300
Quandary Peak (14,265 ft.): Telescopic views over Blue Lakes and the Tenmile Range. Check out the deep, glacier-capped cirques below Fletcher Mtn. to the W and the toothy ridge connecting Wheeler Mtn. to the SW, where the Continental Divide curves S; retrace steps to trailhead