Mount Sherman Colorado
A rewarding 14er hike with stunning summit views and historical mining remnants, ideal for beginners seeking a challenge.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Witness an amazing sunrise.
Mount Sherman Colorado
Best Time
Witness an amazing sunrise.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A rewarding 14er hike with stunning summit views and historical mining remnants, ideal for beginners seeking a challenge.
"The views from the top were absolutely immaculate—totally worth it."
🚗 High Clearance Vehicle Needed
Rough roads to trailheads. A high-clearance 2WD can manage, but 4x4 is better. Watch for flats! :car:
⬆️ Acclimatize for Altitude
High altitude is tough. Hydrate, snack well, and take it slow. Altitude sickness is real. :mountain_dew:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Summit Views
Summit
Panoramic vistas of surrounding peaks and valleys. Absolutely immaculate views from the top, totally worth the climb.
Historic Mining Structures
Along the trail
Explore remnants of old mining operations, adding a unique historical layer to your hike. Many old and fallen structures dot the path.
Ridge Traverse
Near the summit
A thrilling, albeit thin and knife-like, ridge walk leading to the summit. Offers a sense of adventure and stunning exposure.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Vehicle & Road Conditions
Altitude & Preparation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Sherman ready?
🚗 High Clearance Vehicle Needed
Rough roads to trailheads. A high-clearance 2WD can manage, but 4x4 is better. Watch for flats! :car:
⬆️ Acclimatize for Altitude
High altitude is tough. Hydrate, snack well, and take it slow. Altitude sickness is real. :mountain_dew:
Sherman route?
Yall ever over-prepare every detail just to show up at the mt Sherman trailhead 2.5 hours away and realize you left your hiking boots and poles in Denver
☀️ Start Your Hike Early
Beat crowds and potential afternoon storms. Aim for a 4 AM start for sunrise and cooler temps. :sunrise:
⚠️ Stay on Trail
Scree can make it hard to follow. Look for rocks without black lichens to find the path. :hiking_boot:
Mt Sherman in a rental car.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 High Clearance Vehicle Needed
Rough roads to trailheads. A high-clearance 2WD can manage, but 4x4 is better. Watch for flats! :car:
⬆️ Acclimatize for Altitude
High altitude is tough. Hydrate, snack well, and take it slow. Altitude sickness is real. :mountain_dew:
☀️ Start Your Hike Early
Beat crowds and potential afternoon storms. Aim for a 4 AM start for sunrise and cooler temps. :sunrise:
⚠️ Stay on Trail
Scree can make it hard to follow. Look for rocks without black lichens to find the path. :hiking_boot:
❄️ Microspikes for Snow
If hiking before mid-June, microspikes are recommended for snow patches. Check conditions! :snowflake:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Mount Sherman is lauded as a fantastic, albeit challenging, 14er, often recommended as a great first high-altitude hike. Hikers praise the immaculate summit views and the interesting historical mining remnants along the trail. However, the rough access roads and the significant physical toll of the altitude are frequently mentioned drawbacks, with some experiencing flat tires and breathing difficulties.
"Absolutely great 14er hike. If you have 4x wheel drive you can easily make it to the Four-Mile Trailhead of Hwy 18. From there its a 2.3 mile trek to the top. Microspikes are a good idea if hiking before mid June due to snow. Only a short 2ish hour drive from Denver. Be sure to check your weather forecast for the summit several times before you go."
TC Houston
"11 miles of dirt rock road gave me a flat tire. Shout out to Travis with Big Red Towing, give him a call if you are in the same predicament.
So to recap the 06/30/2025 Mount Sherman 14k foot hike from the Fairplay side of the mountain, it took me just over 7 hours, 12 minutes. I was off route 3 times adding extra miles tho I did take one shortcut by glissading down a section of the descent skipping a difficult section. AllTrails didn’t track the entire time & my watch recorded this as an “other” activity rather than a hike. I hiked approx 6.5 miles with 2,000+ feet in elevation gain. It was prob the hardest workout of my life, mentally and physically. Surprisingly I'm not sore at all next day. My legs were not sore during the hike. I didn't have symptoms of altitude sickness, but I felt very heavy and lacked energy. Afterwards I had a bad headache and a flat tire. I drank water, ate high protein snacks and mentos to keep my energy up. The main challenge was breathing. I took deep slow breaths and was still out o f breath. Elevation made it much more difficult to breathe, I was winded the entire hike. I was grateful for my Apple Watch because I could monitor my heart rate. For around a third of the incline, I forced myself to take 50 steps which sent my heart rate to 150bpm. Then I would stand and rest for 2 minutes until my heart rate came down to 100bpm and then 50 more steps, and heart rate would shoot back up to 150bpm. Rinse and repeat for 2+ hours. Around 20 people passed me on the way including a family wearing sandals with son around 7 & daughter around 10, a group of 3 young women, one wearing sandals, a group of 4+ senior citizens discussing how the oldest recently refused his podiatrist recommendation for an ankle replacement, 2 individual women in their 30’s, 3 indiv idual men, another group of 3 young women and a dog, and a man & 8ish year old son & dog hiking & glissading. It was humbling. I didn’t want to quit but it was mentally challenging to keep going. I kept going and pushed away thoughts of turning around. I thought about what the hot yoga instructor in Frisco had talked about the day before during my 30th day of consecutive practice. There are moments of bliss and contentment to be found. I fought to stop the random swirling thoughts and searched for moments of bliss and contentment, staring at mountains, watching the birds & would be present for 30 seconds or so. Breath in, breathe out. I practiced the breathing techniques from hot yoga. I kept breathing and kept putting one foot in front of another. I thought about ultra athletes who would run that hike like mountain goats. I thought about telling my kids & friends that I gave up and this fueled my fire to keep going. I was worried and also hopeful the weather would force my hand on turning back but the rain & hail held off until a minute after I got back to Rachel Green, my faithful Subaru Outback. The views of the mountains, small lakes, snow, rocks, wildflowers, birds, bugs and chipmunks were magnificent. I thought a lot about the native peoples who had lived out there and I offered my gratitude to the land for allowing me to pass thru."
Jessica Vargas - Realtor
"Mt. Sherman was a fun challenge and would make a great first 14er for anyone looking to get into higher elevation hikes. It’s definitely a workout, but manageable with steady effort. The views from the top were absolutely immaculate—totally worth it. The road to the trailhead is rough in spots, but a high-clearance 2WD vehicle can make it just fine in dry conditions if you take it slow. Overall, a beautiful and rewarding hike! Start EARLY (talking 4 am) to witness the most amazing sunrise."
Hannah
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common access points are via the Four Mile Trailhead (Hwy 18) or Iowa Gulch. Both roads are rough and require a high-clearance vehicle. A 4x4 is ideal, but a capable 2WD can manage in dry conditions if driven slowly and carefully. Be prepared for potential flat tires due to the rocky terrain.
A Subaru Crosstrek has decent clearance, comparable to some trucks. It might be able to handle the roads, especially the Four Mile side in dry conditions, but proceed with extreme caution. It's always best to check recent road conditions and be prepared for a slow, careful drive.
Mount Sherman is approximately a 2 to 2.5-hour drive from Denver, depending on traffic and the specific trailhead you are heading to.
Currently, there are no widely advertised shuttle services specifically for Mount Sherman trailheads. Most visitors drive their own vehicles.
Winter access to Mount Sherman trailheads is generally not recommended due to snow and ice. Roads can become impassable for most vehicles. Always check current conditions before attempting any winter travel.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, typically no permit is required for day hiking Mount Sherman. It's a public access mountain.
There are no entrance fees to access Mount Sherman or its trailheads.
The best time to visit is during the summer months (June through September) when trails are typically snow-free. Early mornings are highly recommended to avoid crowds and afternoon thunderstorms.
While technically possible, hiking Mount Sherman year-round is challenging and potentially dangerous due to snow, ice, and extreme weather. The summer season is the safest and most accessible time.
Starting your hike around 4 AM is highly recommended to catch the sunrise, avoid the worst of the crowds, and have more time to descend before potential afternoon storms.
🎫 ⛰️ Onsite Experience
Mount Sherman is often considered one of the easier 14ers in Colorado. It's a strenuous workout with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, but manageable with steady effort and good conditioning for altitude.
The trail is an old mining trail, can be hard to follow in places due to scree. The ridge to the summit is thin and knife-like. You'll encounter rocks, scree, and potentially snow early in the season.
Yes, Mount Sherman is dog-friendly. Many visitors bring their canine companions on the hike.
The summit offers immaculate panoramic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, including other peaks and valleys. It's a truly magnificent sight.
A typical hike can take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours roundtrip, depending on your fitness level, pace, and any stops. Some hikers have reported taking over 7 hours.
🍽️ 🍎 Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly at the Mount Sherman trailheads. You'll need to pack all your food and drinks for the hike. The nearest towns with restaurants are Fairplay and Leadville.
High-protein snacks like jerky, nuts, and energy bars are recommended. Mentos were also mentioned as a way to keep energy up. Staying hydrated is crucial.
You can have a picnic at the trailhead before or after your hike. On the trail, it's best to stick to quick snacks to maintain momentum. Remember to pack out all trash.
Water is essential. Electrolyte drinks can also be beneficial for longer hikes at altitude. Avoid sugary drinks that can lead to energy crashes.
Yes, Fairplay offers several dining options, including local pubs and cafes, where you can refuel after your hike.
📸 📸 Photography
The summit offers breathtaking panoramic views. The historic mining structures along the trail also make for unique and atmospheric shots. Sunrise from the summit is particularly spectacular.
Early morning, especially around sunrise, provides beautiful golden hour light and fewer crowds. Mid-day can be harsh, but the expansive views are still impressive.
A smartphone camera is sufficient for most visitors, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera will allow for higher quality landscape shots. Consider a wide-angle lens for the panoramic views.
Be mindful of your footing, especially on the narrow ridge near the summit. Don't let photography distract you from the trail and potential hazards.
The summit marker, the thin ridge leading to it, and the various old mining structures scattered along the trail are prime photo spots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Key recommendations for families: Start very early to avoid afternoon storms and crowds. Pack plenty of snacks and water, and be prepared for the altitude's effects. The presence of other families, including young children, on the trail suggests it's achievable, but thorough preparation and realistic expectations are crucial.
💰 Budget Travelers
Tips for budget hikers: Pack all your own food and water to avoid purchasing expensive items on the go. Research the best route and vehicle requirements beforehand to ensure your car is suitable, potentially saving on rental costs or avoiding damage. Focus on the incredible natural experience, which is free!
🐶 Dog Owners
Important considerations for dog owners: Ensure your dog is well-conditioned and accustomed to hiking at altitude. Bring extra water specifically for your dog and be mindful of the rocky terrain, which can be tough on paws. Always keep your dog on a leash, especially near the summit ridge and around wildlife. Remember to pack out any waste.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Trail and Road
Once on the trail, especially the route from Fairplay, staying on course can be a challenge due to scree fields. A helpful tip is to look for rocks that don't have black lichens growing on them, as these tend to be part of the established path. The ridge leading to the summit is a notable feature – it's described as thin and knife-like, requiring careful footing and concentration.
Conquering the Altitude
Monitoring your heart rate with a device like an Apple Watch can be beneficial, as it helps you gauge your exertion and take necessary breaks. Some hikers employ a strategy of taking a set number of steps (e.g., 50) until their heart rate reaches a certain point (e.g., 150bpm), then resting until it drops. This methodical approach can help manage the physical strain of the altitude. Remember that mental fortitude is as important as physical conditioning when dealing with the challenges of high-altitude hiking.
A Rewarding First 14er Experience
The summit views are consistently described as immaculate and absolutely worth the climb. The relatively straightforward (though sometimes hard to follow) trail and the rewarding summit experience make it a popular choice for beginners. However, it's still essential to be prepared for the altitude, weather, and trail conditions, even for an 'easier' 14er.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit