It’s no secret that Colorado gets crowded. Oftentimes, hiking 14’ers such as Torreys, Mount Bierstadt, and even Longs Peak can make you feel like you’re at an amusement park.
Related: Chris Davenport and Team Finish Skiing the Tallest 100 Mountains in Colorado
In a recent study completed by the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, the attendance at those amusement parks now has a number. Approximately 260,000 people packed 14’er trailheads, got in line, and waited to reach a summit in 2015. Of those 260,00, 72,000 frequent the six of the 14’ers located in the Front Range.
“This level of recreational use suggests a statewide economic impact of more than $70.5 million based on past 14er-related expenditure studies.” – Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
All that use has the CFI planning effective ways to create a smaller impact on the alpine environments that people hike through on their way to the summit. The impact mitigation involve redoing summit trails, creating better trailhead facilities, and raising awareness for LNT practices.
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Top 5 Most Trafficked 14’ers
- Mount Elbert
- Mount Bierstadt
- Grays and Torreys Peaks
- Mount Democrat
- Quandry Peak
Find the entire study here: 2015 Colorado 14ers Hiking Use Estimates