Did you know we have 14er’s right here in Parker? The flat kind that is…
Climb a 14er Mountain in Parker
More than 50 peaks in Colorado have an altitude of 14,000 feet or higher and are known as “14ers.” Now you can climb the equivalent of a 14er in your own community
What is a Flat 14er?
Flat 14ers is an initiative to encourage children, families, teachers, staff, administrators and community members to increase their level of physical activity by climbing virtual 14ers. It provides a fun, easy and free way to become active and stay active by converting minutes of activity such as walking, running, cycling, playing soccer or basketball into steps towards reaching the summit of a 14er. A simple tracking system helps you make the conversions and keeps track of steps.
Where are Parker’s Flat 14ers?
Look for the signs! Certain parks/trails throughout Douglas County have been designated Flat 14ers with directions for walking to the “summit” of specific Colorado 14ers.
- Tallman Gulch Trail/Iron Horse Elementary (Mt. Massive) – 20151 Tallman Dr. – Start at sign at Iron Horse Elementary on northeast corner of sports field, walk trail to turnaround sign at Cimarron Middle School and return six times
- Auburn Hills Park/Prairie Crossing Elementary (Mt. Bierstadt) –11682 Bradbury Ranch Rd. – Start at sign, walk around school block and return nine times
- Sulphur Gulch Trail/Pioneer Elementary (Torreys Peak) – 10881 Riva Ridge Rd. – Start at sign at Pioneer Elementary, east on trail to turnaround sign and return four times
Visit the Douglas County School District Flat 14ers Challenge page for additional information. More information is also available on the Colorado Flat 14ers Web site. Contact Mary Colton at 303.805.3261 or by email with questions about Parker’s Flat 14ers.
Great suggestions for what to bring when hiking in the high country but many of these ideas work for flat 14’ers as well.
- DAYHIKING PACK
Nothing heavy or bulky
- STURDY SHOES Cross-trainers
or hiking boots
will do fine
- LAYERS Summertime climbs can be chilly in the morning and hot in the afternoon
- WATER A bottle or a bladder is required; bring enough for your dog
- FOOD Pack trail mix,
jerky, or granola bars to replace spent calories
- WATCH It’s good to keep track of time—afternoon thunderstorms are a real threat
- SUN PROTECTION
Many trails are exposed and, at 14,000 feet, the sun is piercing
- HEAD LAMP
- POCKET KNIFE
- CELL PHONE You may not always have reception but bring it anyway—it could be a lifesaver
- MAPS
AND A COMPASS
Most of the “easy” fourteeners do not require route-finding skills, but it’s always good to have these in your pack
- FIRST-AID KIT
If nothing else, you may want Band-Aids
for blisters
- MATCHES
This fits into the it-can’t-hurt category
