Quandary Peak is a beautiful mountain that is suitable for many hiker’s first “14er”. Quandary Peak was our first 14er and we had so much fun hiking this challenging trail.
We’ll share everything you need to know to hike Quandary Peak yourself. Keep in mind, things are always changing so be sure to research the most up to date information if you want to hike Quandary Peak.
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Where is Quandary Peak located?
The Quandary Peak trailhead is located about 9 miles south of Breckenridge. There is a small parking lot at the trailhead, but it often fills up very early on weekends.
Parking Reservations to Hike Quandary Peak
Starting 2022, reservations were required to park in the Quandary Peak Trailhead parking lot. The official information for 2023 has not yet been released, but it will likely be similar.
Reservations to park at the trailhead were required from June 1 to September 30, 2022. Reservations can be made at Parkquandary.com. In 2022, reservations could be made up to two weeks in advance starting May 18th.
In 2022, there were 2 options for reservations: full day or 3.5 hours
- full day (5 AM – 3 PM): $25 non-peak days (Monday-Thursday) and $50 peak days (Friday-Sunday)
- 3.5 hours: $5 non-peak days (Monday-Thursday), $20 peak days (Friday-Sunday)
Make a full day reservation if you plan to summit Quandary Peak, and make a 3.5 hour reservation if you plan to hike McCullough Gulch.
You do not need a reservation after 3 PM.
Trail Data to hike Quandary Peak
You can find all this information and more, including trail maps, on the AllTrails app.
Distance: The trail to the summit of Quandary Peak (14,265 feet) is about 6.75 miles round trip.
Elevation Gain: The trail gains over 3,400 feet of elevation.
Difficulty: Quandary Peak is a strenuous hike due to the high altitude, rocky terrain, and high elevation gain. Only experienced hikers should attempt it. You should acclimatize to the altitude for 1-2 days prior to hiking.
Time: Plan for the hike to Quandary Peak to take 5-8 hours.
Route: The beginning of the trail is in a forest and once you reach tree line, the trail opens up to rocky terrain with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is well-marked with minimal exposure. Scrambling may be required for the final push to the summit due to the steepness of the rocky terrain. There is also a false summit before reaching the top.
When is the best time to hike Quandary Peak?
Although it is possible to hike this trail in the winter, only those with avalanche training and winter mountaineering experience should attempt this trail during the winter.
The best time for more casual hikers to hike Quandary Peak is from June to September, when the trail is free of snow and ice. Keep in mind, you may still encounter snow and ice on the trail during the summer.
We did the trail in August and it snowed at the summit!
Safety Considerations to hike Quandary Peak
Start early
Hikers should start early in the morning to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. It is important to be off of the summit by noon at the latest to avoid the inevitable afternoon thunderstorms.
Allow plenty of time to complete the hike and start your hike as early as possible.
Prepare for Weather
At altitude, weather can change rapidly. Check accurate weather data before attempting the trail and do not attempt the trail in the event of rain, high wind, or lightning.
Bring appropriate gear
Bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, a hydration bladder, and trusted hiking shoes. A head lamp will also be necessary since you will be starting your hike in the dark.
The temperature difference throughout your hike will vary and the summit is often very windy and cold, so be sure to wear and pack layers: a non-cotton base layer, fleece mid-layer, and waterproof shell or puffer jacket should be sufficient.
Acclimate to the altitude
Arriving to the area even just a day in advance can help you to avoid altitude sickness.
When we did the hike to Quandary Peak, we slept at an airbnb in Breckenridge the night before so we would have a full night at around 10,000 feet before starting the trail.
Plenty of people drive from Denver in the morning to start the hike without issues, but your safest best is staying in the mountain town at least the night before.
You are more likely to get altitude sickness if you are from out of town and do not acclimate in Denver or Breckenridge prior to your hike.
Know the signs of altitude sickness
The signs of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Always turn back if you experience any signs of altitude sickness.
Research the route and terrain
This is necessary in order to make sure you the trail matches your skill level and experience. Familiarize yourself with the system of rating the difficulty of mountains.
The Yosemite Decimal System is widely used in the US and is as follows:
- Class 1: Hiking on a well-maintained trail with no need for hands to ascend.
- Class 2: Simple scrambling that may require the use of hands for balance.
- Class 3: Moderate climbing that may require the use of hands for holds and has exposure to some fall potential.
- Class 4: Technical climbing that involves rope and other protective gear for safety.
- Class 5: Technical rock climbing that requires advanced climbing skills, including the use of ropes, protection, and specialized climbing equipment.
Download offline trail data
Do not depend on cell service for your trail maps! You likely will not have cell service on the hike to Quandary Peak, so you can use AllTrails Pro to download the trail map prior to the hike.
How to Responsibly Hike Quandary Peak
Aside from being prepared for the hike, also make sure to minimize your impact on the environment.
In order to recreate responsibly and minimize your impact on the environment, always follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
- plan ahead and prepare: research current weather and trail conditions, bring enough food and water, bring/download an offline map, prepare for crowds in certain areas
- travel and camp on durable surfaces: be sure not to hike off trail or use social trails! Camp at designated areas only
- dispose of waste properly: even an orange peel or cherry pit can disturb the ecosystem and take years to decompose. Be sure to pack out absolutely everything!
- leave what you find: do not take rocks or build cairns of rocks, do not carve into trees, rocks, or other natural objects
- minimize campfire impacts: know current fire restrictions, keep fires small and only use established fire rings
- respect wildlife: you are likely to encounter mountain goats as you hike Quandary Peak! Always stay 25 yards away from animals and 100 yards away from bears
- be considerate of other visitors: do not play music on the trail, give the right of way to uphill hiker
Conclusion
We hope this guide prepared you for an epic hike to Quandary Peak! If you have more time in Colorado or are a local looking for more amazing hikes, check out our list of 10 epic summer hikes in Colorado.
Finally, if you’re staying in Breckenridge before or after you hike Quandary Peak, check out our list of 10 incredible things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado.
