Colorado's most popular first fourteener — a short, non-technical trail up the only 14er in the Tenmile Range.
From US 24 west, turn north onto Colorado 9 and follow it through Alma and over Hoosier Pass, then turn onto Blue Lakes Road and follow signs to the Quandary Peak Trailhead, about 6 miles south of Breckenridge. From the trailhead at about 10,850 feet, the trail climbs through pine forest, reaching treeline around 11,500–11,600 feet in under a mile. Above treeline the trail follows the south side of the broad east ridge in a steady, well-marked climb; the grade never lets up for long, and false summits along the way can be discouraging, but route-finding is straightforward the entire way to 14,271 feet.
Reverse the ridge trail. In winter, the summer trail funnels into avalanche terrain near the top and a different route should be used — check current conditions before a winter ascent.