Dog Friendly 14ers

Looking to bring your dog up a 14er? It’s a great idea as long as you and your pup are both prepared. There are 58 mountains in Colorado over 14,000ft, in this blog I will cover which ones I think are dog friendly. Dog friendly 14ers are VERY much up to the individual and most important, the dog itself. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS LIST without having an understanding of how your dog operates in the mountains at high elevations and on hikes in general. If you are new to hiking the 14ers, I would recommend tackling a few on your own before bringing your dog. Additionally, if your dog is not comfortable around lots of other people and some other dogs, please know that most of these mountains will have both on almost all Summer days. 

Pre-14er Dog Prep

Like all of us should be prepared before heading out to tackle a 14er, your pup should be too! In general, your dog should be able to handle the mileage and elevation gain of the hike you choose. Additionally, having your dog’s paws seasoned (ideally from other hikes) will help reduce the chance of getting cuts or hot spots which can be very hard to deal with when you are in the middle of nowhere. Like any hike at elevation, bring lots of water and snacks to help them get through the long day and ALWAYS check the weather before hitting the trail.  

For gear, I would recommend the following:

• Harness
• ID/GPS Tracker – Helpful in case your pup gets lost
• Waist Leash – Any hikes in Wilderness Areas, your dog should be leashed
• Poop Bags
• Portable Dog Bowl(s)
• Snacks and Water For Dog (I typically bring at least 32oz or a Nalgene for Aria)
• Paw Boots
• Paw Balm
• Emergency Carry – Optional, but I have had to carry Aria without one and it’s NO fun. 
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YDS System

Just like you should know your limits, the YDS system (class grading) is super important to understand in Colorado when planning a hike for your dog. In short: Class 1=flat trail, Class 2=some rocking hopping/minor scrambling, Class 3=you will need to use a third point of contact to scramble, Class 4 & above=don’t bring your dog. Note that this system is used across the United States and other parts of the world but is typically not very consistent from state to state or even hike to hike. Much of this system and a hike’s “grade” will depend on the individual who is writing/posting about it.

Now that you and your dog are prepared, let’s decide which 14er to choose! 

Dog Friendly 14ers

These are all mountains I would feel comfortable bringing most dogs on. 

• Mt Elbert 
• Quandary Peak
• Mt Antero – Super long mileage and steady elevation gain if no 4×4 car. If you have a high clearance 4×4 this is a much easier hike. It has class 2 hiking, only near the summit which should be fine for most dogs.
• Mt Massive 
• Mt Harvard – Some moves near the summit might make this challenging (very low Class 3, High 2) but 95% of the rest of the hike is dog friendly. 
• Castle Peak 
• Conundrum Peak 
• Mt of the Holy Cross 
• Mt Oxford 
• Tabeguache Peak 
• San Luis Peak 
• Huron Peak 
• Grays Peak 
• Torreys Peak 
• Mt Princeton 
• Humboldt Peak 
• Red Cloud Peak 
• Sunshine Peak 
• Mt Belford 
• Mt Shavano 
• Missouri Mountain 
• La Plata Peak 
• Mt Yale
• Mt Columbia
• Handies Peak 
• Mt Sherman 
• Mt Lincoln 
• Mt Cameron 
• Mt Bross 
• Mt Bierstadt 
• Uncompahgre Peak 
• Mt Democrat 
• Mt Blue Sky (via summit lake) – DO NOT recommend a dog on Sawtooth Ridge.

Borderline Dog Friendly 14ers

These are 14ers are that are borderline dog friendly for the right type of dog: ones with a lot of experience, ones that are okay with some minor scrambling or ones that are very good off leash and in great physical shape. Generally speaking, all of these mountains are better with two people and a dog vs a solo hiker with a dog. 

• Mt Sneffels – A borderline dog friendly 14er only due to the notch move and conditions in the gully/couloir. You will want two people to help a dog on this one. 
• Snowmass Mountain – This is a LONG multi day (typically) Summit and I fully admit that I don’t remember the summit ridge well. However, from what I remember – a good scrambler COULD tackle this summit. 
• Pikes Peak (via Barr trail) – Longest standard 14er approach, nearly 26 miles. If done in multiple days, this is absolutely a dog friendly 14er. However, if one day, ensure your dog has the proper fitness level. “Well behaved dogs” are allowed at Barr Camp too. 
• North Eolus – The scrambling on the top is the main reason I would not put this on the previous list. Doable, but only for the right dog. 
• Windom Peak – Probably the easiest of the four 14ers in the Chicago Basin. Mostly class 2 with some class 3 but trail conditions are very loose. 
• Blanca Peak – Higher Class 2 and a long day. However, for the right dog who is good on loose rock, this is doable. 
• Ellingwood Point – Ditto to above. *WOULD NOT traverse the ridgeline between the two, drop down to the standard trail*
• Kit Carson Peak – Requires a hike up Challenger Point before summiting which adds to difficulty. Ledges can be super dangerous with snow and the Class 3 scrambling near the summit is loose. Finally, poor trail conditions can tear up a paw pad. 
• Challenger Point – The biggest challenge for a dog on this one is the loose and poor trail conditions. 
• Wetterhorn Peak – This is probably one of the most borderline dog friendly 14ers on this list. Your dog must be great with scrambling on steep rock.

Not Dog Friendly 14ers

Although some dogs have been to these summits, for MOST dogs and owners, I would highly recommend leaving your pup at home for these mountains. Remember, your dog has no idea what a summit is, let alone what a 14er is. Are you doing this for them or for you?

• Capitol Peak 
• Little Bear Peak 
• Maroon Peak 
• North Maroon Peak 
• Crestone Peak 
• Crestone Needle 
• Sunlight Peak –Most of this is dog friendly until the final scrambling which is why I would not recommend it. 
• El Diente Peak 
• Mt Wilson
• Mt Eolus
• Longs Peak
• Wilson Peak
• Mt Lindsey – This one almost made the borderline list, but there was just too much loose crap in the gully and the ridge is not an option for a dog. 
• Culebra Peak – Dogs not allowed on the ranch. 

Let me know your thoughts on my Dog Friendly 14ers List in the Comments below! *All links are affiliates, they cost you nothing but help support the website.