I’ve been hiking Colorado’s 14ers for years, and I’ll be honest with you: I love every single one of them. But do I love them all equally? Absolutely not. And if you’ve spent any time reading trip reports, scrolling through 14ers.com forums, or falling down a Reddit rabbit hole at midnight, you already know that the broader climbing community has some very strong — and very entertaining — opinions about which peaks deserve the bottom of the list.
This isn’t a ranking of the most dangerous 14ers or the most difficult ones (I’ve covered that topic separately). This is about the peaks that experienced hikers groan about, laugh about, and warn others are tedious, boring, or just plain underwhelming. The ones you climb because you’re chasing the full list — not because you’d ever choose to go back.
I dug through years of 14ers.com forum threads, trip reports, tier list debates, blog reviews, and community rankings to find out which peaks the community loves to hate. Here’s what I found — along with the most quotable insults and, where they exist, the redemption angles that might change your mind.
A quick caveat before we start: every mountain above 14,000 feet in Colorado demands respect. Weather, altitude, and terrain don’t care whether the hiking community thinks your summit is boring. Bring the right gear, check conditions, and plan your turnaround time — even on the “easy” ones. Especially on the easy ones, actually, since that’s where overconfidence gets people into trouble.
Now let’s get into it.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
The Dirt Mounds: Bross, Cameron, and Sherman
The Mosquito Range is where 14er dreams go to get humbled — not by difficulty, but by monotony. These peaks have earned the community’s most damning label: dirt mounds.
Mount Bross (14,172') — The Near-Universal Pick for Worst 14er
If the Colorado 14er community could vote one peak off the island, Mount Bross would be gone in a landslide. On the 14ers.com “Least Favorite Mountain” thread, one hiker put it bluntly: Bross nearly made them rethink what they enjoy about hiking altogether. In the 14ers.com Tier List thread, Bross was slotted firmly into F-tier as a peak that people only climb to complete the DeCaLiBron loop. And on the Virtual Sherpa’s ranking, Bross was dinged for its private land closure, boring profile, and redundant views.
Here’s the problem: Bross is a featureless pile of rubble whose summit sits on private mining land that has been closed since roughly 2005 due to mine shaft liability. Thousands of hikers trespass each year to tag it anyway, but the views from the top are a worse version of what you already saw from Democrat and Lincoln. One 14ers.com regular noted with dry humor that they were disappointed Bross wasn’t demoted by LiDAR.
Mount Cameron (14,238') — The Mountain That Isn't a Mountain
Cameron is Bross’s equally unloved twin, and the community debate isn’t whether it’s boring — it’s whether it even counts. With just 140 feet of prominence above its saddle with Lincoln, Cameron fails the 300-foot threshold that defines a standalone 14er. One SummitPost trip report called it a subsidiary of Lincoln rather than a mountain in any meaningful sense. The Virtual Sherpa ranked it D-tier and noted it’s essentially a speed bump between Democrat and Lincoln. Several sources describe it as more of a bump in the path than a destination.
Here’s the thing: you literally walk over Cameron whether you want to or not on the DeCaLiBron. You’d have to go out of your way to avoid it. That makes it the easiest 14er to bag — and the hardest to feel any satisfaction about.
Mount Sherman (14,036') — The Ruin You Can See Your Car From
Mount Sherman rounds out the Mosquito Range dirt mound trio, and it has one of the most memorably harsh reviews on 14ers.com: one hiker called it ugly, boring, physically easy, and totally destroyed by mining, with not even a nice view to compensate. The Virtual Sherpa noted that the drive to the trailhead takes longer than the hike itself — never a great sign. On AllTrails, reviewers have described the area’s peaks as less like mountains and more like large piles of rubble.
Another 14ers.com user summed up Sherman’s fundamental problem: being able to see your car the whole time takes the excitement out of it.
The redemption angle: The historic Leavick mining ruins at the start are genuinely interesting, and adding the scramble to Gemini Peak creates a more rewarding day. Sherman also works well as a confidence-builder for first-time 14er hikers who want the shortest possible approach. And one forum member swore that Sherman under a full moon from the Leadville side is actually great.
The Jeep Road Slog: Antero
Mount Antero (14,269') — Sawatch Range
Mount Antero might be the most divisive peak on this list, because the standard route is almost universally hated while the alternate route is genuinely beloved.
The standard route follows a grinding 4WD road where you share the path with ATVs and Jeeps for miles. One blogger described it bluntly as almost the opposite of a wilderness peak — too hard on foot and too easy in a vehicle. Fox in the Forest called it a horrible slog up an exposed Jeep road that many 14er finishers rank among the absolute worst. On the 14ers.com Tier List, it landed in F-tier for being a mining road that doesn’t amount to much.
Without a 4WD vehicle, you’re looking at over 15 miles of road walking — and even if you can drive partway up, you’ll share the upper road with off-roaders who understandably don’t expect to see hikers on their route. The summit area is a bit of a mess from active mining claims, and the approach titled by one blogger as “the 4WD road from hell” doesn’t help the peak’s reputation.
The redemption angle: This is the strongest on the list. The approach from the east side via Little Browns Creek is, by community consensus, a completely different — and far superior — mountain experience. Multiple forum users emphasized that Antero’s alternate route transforms it from an F-tier slog to a genuinely enjoyable hike. Plus, Antero is famous for aquamarine deposits near the summit, making gem hunting a unique draw you won’t find on any other 14er.
The Thankless Add-Ons: Oxford and Tabeguache
Some 14ers exist in the shadow of a better neighbor, and the community treats them accordingly.
Mount Oxford (14,153') — Sawatch Range
Oxford earned one of the most efficient insults in the research: the 14ers.com Tier List described it as an all-for-nothing slog from Belford with no significant payoff. The Virtual Sherpa called the trail steep and loose in both directions, which means you’re suffering twice — once on the way out and again on the way back. Forum shorthand has merged the two peaks into the dismissive portmanteau “Belfoxford,” which tells you everything about how much individual identity Oxford is granted.
The redemption angle: The approach to Belford through Missouri Gulch is beautiful wildflower country in July, and knocking out both peaks in a single day is efficient for list-checkers. You’re just not going back for Oxford alone.
Tabeguache Peak (14,155') — Sawatch Range
Tabeguache lands in F-tier on the 14ers.com community ranking for its poor standard route, long traverse from Shavano, and unimpressive views. In the Ranking the Sawatch thread, one hiker described the steep push from the saddle as slightly soul-crushing. It appeared repeatedly across “least favorite” forum discussions alongside Antero and Evans.
The redemption angle: The West Ridge alternate route is consistently praised in the community as beautiful and unique. Colorado Fourteeners Initiative trail work has also improved the standard route in recent years. But via the most common approach from Shavano, this one tests your patience.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
The Walmart of 14ers: Quandary Peak
Quandary Peak (14,265') — Tenmile Range
The hike itself is perfectly fine. Quandary’s problem is that 50,000 other people per year have the same idea.
The Virtual Sherpa gave it the most iconic nickname in all of 14er culture: the Walmart of 14ers. Fox in the Forest called it a bit of a boring hill slog in summer that’s always crowded. On the 14ers.com Quandary vs. Sherman thread, one commenter sarcastically described Quandary’s summit scene — the implied carnival of BBQs, dogs, picnics, and sticker vendors — as a stark contrast to the quiet experience on Sherman. An Outside Magazine writer looked over from adjacent Crystal Peak and described seeing hikers moving like ants across Quandary’s slopes. Even Gaia GPS’s trail description acknowledged there’s nothing exceptional about the hike.
The redemption angle: Quandary has genuinely outstanding Tenmile Range views, beloved mountain goats on the summit, and serves as a solid first 14er for beginners. It’s also one of the few safe year-round options. And the Class 3 Cristo Couloir and West Ridge routes transform it entirely — the Virtual Sherpa noted that the north couloir alone saves Quandary from being an F-tier experience. If you ski, Quandary is excellent.
The Paywall Peak: Culebra
Culebra Peak (14,047') — Sangre de Cristo Range
Culebra generates a specific kind of resentment that no other 14er can match. The Virtual Sherpa’s assessment was succinct: pay to play. On 14ers.com, hikers have flatly refused to climb it on principle. One blogger noted that many completionists do it ABC-style: All But Culebra. Backpacker Magazine observed that the peak rarely tops any favorite lists, more for bureaucratic reasons than anything about the mountain itself.
The access fee — currently around $150 per person on the private Cielo Vista Ranch — has climbed steadily over the years. Access is limited to weekends from June through August, with a cap of roughly 200 climbers per season and no rescheduling for weather.
The redemption angle: The mountain itself is actually a quite nice hike in a beautiful and remote part of the state. The guaranteed solitude and views into New Mexico are real draws. The resentment is about the access model, not the peak — which is an important distinction. As a public lands advocate, I have complicated feelings about privately gated summits, but the scenery itself is not guilty.
The Biggest Letdowns: Elbert and Princeton
Sometimes the worst fourteeners are those that least live up to your expectations. Two Sawatch Range peaks rise to the top of this unfortunate list.
Mount Elbert (14,440') — Sawatch Range
Colorado’s tallest peak should feel like a crown jewel. Instead, it’s famous for false summits that have driven hikers to profanity. One 14ers.com commenter suggested packing antidepressants for each false summit, while a photographer’s trip report described the cycle of hope and crushing realization that you’re not even close. REI’s blog warned hikers to prepare for not one, not two, but three false summits. The Virtual Sherpa called it a great intro 14er but a boring overall experience. On the 14ers.com forums, it’s been described as over-traveled, scree-filled, steep, and boring.
The redemption angle: You’re standing on the highest point in the entire Rocky Mountain chain — and that means something. The East Ridge route is widely considered much better than the standard Northeast Ridge. And the legendary rivalry between Elbert and Massive — where supporters of each peak reportedly built and demolished summit cairns to change the height rankings — is some of the best folklore in Colorado mountain culture.
Mount Princeton (14,197') — Sawatch Range
Princeton holds the rare distinction of being multiple experienced hikers’ single least-favorite 14er. On the 14ers.com “Most Hated” thread, one hiker detailed every grievance: a dry, bumpy road to the trailhead; a trail with nothing but rocky talus; no stream crossings, no wildflowers, just dust. They called it the least cool of all 58 peaks. Another commenter in the same thread called Princeton the only 14er that took them three attempts to summit and described it as having zero redeeming qualities — then added, with perfect comedic timing, that they once saw a cool turkey crossing there.
In the 14ers.com Views category thread, users acknowledged Princeton catches a lot of flak, and for good reason.
The redemption angle: Princeton’s summit rises so sharply above the Arkansas River Valley that the views are genuinely impressive — you feel like you’re perched directly above it. And the post-hike soak at Princeton Hot Springs in Buena Vista is the best recovery ritual of any 14er in the state.
Honorable Mentions
Mount Bierstadt (14,060′): More overcrowded than truly boring. Its proximity to Denver makes it a victim of its own accessibility. On 14ers.com, one hiker reported 34 people and 4 dogs on the summit block on a weekday in July. The Sawtooth traverse to Evans redeems it entirely.
Mount Blue Sky (14,264′): The hike can be excellent — but the culture shock of arriving at the summit after hours of effort to find tourists in flip-flops who drove up is uniquely deflating.
Pikes Peak (14,115′): Long, hot, and ending in a gift shop. One 14ers.com hiker listed their grievances as the miserable hike, the development on top, and — specifically — what they considered an inedible doughnut. But the Virtual Sherpa surprisingly ranked it A-tier for winter access, trail running potential, and sheer iconic status.
San Luis Peak (14,014′): Not so much hated as forgotten. The 14ers.com Tier List placed it in the middle of the pack and noted it’s essentially in the middle of nowhere. The trailhead is 47 miles from the nearest paved road. But it has genuine defenders who love the solitude and the moose-spotting opportunities in La Garita Wilderness.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Every Mountain Deserves a Better Route
Here’s the most consistent insight I found across every source: the standard routes are often the real problem, not the mountains themselves.
One experienced hiker on the 14ers.com Tier List thread captured this perfectly: if you ditch the easiest-checklist route and add some creativity, the perspective changes. Antero transforms via Little Browns Creek. Tabeguache opens up via the West Ridge. Evans becomes a classic via the Sawtooth. Even Quandary earns serious respect through the Cristo Couloir.
The completionist mindset — the drive to bag as many peaks as possible via the shortest, easiest route — can create its own disappointment. And maybe the ultimate counter-argument came from a commenter who simply said: for them, every single one is S-tier — because they grew up far from any mountains at all.
I think that’s worth sitting with. These are still 14,000-foot peaks in one of the most beautiful states in the country. Even the “worst” ones put you above treeline with views that most people on Earth will never experience firsthand.
So sure — groan about Bross, roll your eyes at Cameron, pack your patience for Elbert’s false summits. But don’t skip any of them if you’re chasing the list. They’re all part of the story. And every single one of them still demands your preparation, your respect, and your Leave No Trace ethic.
Even the dirt mounds.
